TAOS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Perhaps the most tumultuous era in northern New Mexico history was the territorial period. This was a time of major political, cultural, and religious change. After the Mexican-American war, New Mexico became the territory of a new country, the United States.
On the cultural front, New Mexicans would have to adapt to a new language, new customs and traditions, and new political realities. On the religious front, the Catholic church, a bedrock of Spanish and Mexican culture, created a new church hierarchy, transferring jurisdiction from Durango, Mexico, to the Diocese of Santa Fe under the leadership of newly ordained Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy.
Perhaps the most influential person living in northern New Mexico at the time was Padre Jose Antonio Martinez. Padre Martinez was first appointed as priest in charge of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in 1826. In 1842, Governor Armijo certified Martinez as a civil lawyer. Padre Martinez brought the first printing press to New Mexico and founded the first formal school: The Home-Preparatory Seminary, working out of his home.
Perhaps it was inevitable that the two most powerful figures within the Catholic church in northern New Mexico would quarrel over leadership. After several minor clashes, a major rift developed centered around Padre Martinez’s close association with the Hermandad, Los Penitentes, and use of the Duran Chapel as his base of operations. Bishop Lamy formally excommunicated Padre Martinez in April of 1858. Thereafter, Padre Martinez continued to hold on to power and exert influence, and used the Duran Chapel in a central role, as his base of operations.
The chapel, built by Nicolas Sandoval in 1838, remained intact into the 1960s then fell into disrepair. Today it is little more than piles of adobe dirt on the foundation of the old chapel walls. Doreen Duran, a descendant of Nicholas Sandoval, is leading an initiative to restore this historic New Mexico landmark.
The history of the Duran Chapel is the topic of the December lecture of the Taos County Historical Society. The featured speaker is Fr. Juan Romero, the author of “Reluctant Dawn: Biography of Padre Martinez,” “Cura de Taos,” and many articles on the history of the Duran Chapel.
The event will be held on Sunday December 8, at noon at the Sagebrush Convention Center. The event includes a New Mexican buffet lunch. There will also be a silent auction offering great Christmas gifts. Tickets are $40 for Society members; $45 for non-members. To obtain tickets, contact Ernestina Cordova at (575) 758-9243 or email cordova@newmex.com.
