Dust to dust? New Mexicans fight to save old adobe churches

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We’re not just a church, we’re not just a religion – we have roots.” From the local dirt they’re made of to the generations of family memories they hold, these churches anchor a uniquely New Mexican way of life for their communities, many of which no longer have schools or stores, and struggle with chronic poverty and addiction. “Four hundred years ago, life was very difficult in this part of the world, the remote inland frontier of the Spanish empire,” explained Felix López, a master “santero” – the artists who sculpt, paint and conserve saint figures in New Mexico’s unique devotional style, born of historical isolation. “Saints are the spiritual go-to; they can be highly powerful,” said Victor Goler, a master santero who just completed conserving the altarpieces, or “reredos,” in Las Trampas’ mid-18th century church. “They still have access to the same dirt,” Pacheco said as the adobe walls’ sand particles and straw sparkled in the sun.