San José de Gracia, Las Trampas, New Mexico
This is one of the two iconic bell towers that frame the doors of this venerable parish church. There are older mission churches still standing, but this one is very well preserved and looks much like it did when completed in 1776. Village residents continue to maintain the exterior adobe walls. The church became a National Historic Landmark in 1970, avoiding a road project that would have threatened the peace of the place.
Such peace, however, can only be understood in conjunction with the efforts to extinguish and replace indigenous traditions and spirituality. Architecture like this can be appreciated while the history is regretted.
Black and white infrared photo.