People who live in the southwest and those who visit are often drawn to the mission churches, although they may not fully understand why. People say, “I love mission churches” without truly knowing that the architecture is calling them to something sacred.  Architects designed the bell towers in the mission churches so that they pointed beyond themselves. The viewer is to understand that life is bigger than what they see.  A picture like this one can draw forth many feelings for the viewer.

My inventory of New Mexico Churches includes a range of churches built in the mission style.   You will notice that many of them have a similar architecture.  I have also taken photographs of the church ruins at the Salinas Pueblo – Quari Ruins SE of Albuquerque .  Looking at the photographs of the ancient ruins (construction on the Quari ruins began in 1626) the viewer can the same architecture as the modern churches.

The bell towers of St. Anthony’s church in Questa, St. Francis Church in Ranchos de Taos and the Quari Ruins makes a wonderful triplet.  The same triplet framing can be done for the entrances to the three churches.

When I photograph the churches I look for unusual angles to add interest to the picture and to draw the viewer in.  I will continue to add photographs of the churches to my inventory and web site.  If you don’t see one of your favorite churches let me know and I will put it on the list.