Ten years later, I brought Bob, Laurie, and Gayle back to El Santuario De Chimayo and on a Sunday…read moremorning before area services. They sell small empty containers to fill with the Holy Dirt, but we left it at a dab or 2 on Bob's knee and Gayle's neck. So far, the hoped for miracle has not yet occurred. This time around there's a Visitor's Center that I don't remember from before. I stopped in and was greeted by a very friendly volunteer. They also had a bunch of religious art on sale by local folks, which were well done, but not really my style. The Main Sanctuary and the Side room (with the Holy Dirt) in back were what I remembered. The "dirt" found at the well (pocito) in the room is considered holy because in this spot, the crucifix of "Our Lord of Esquipulas" was found in 1810. All that being said, Laurie and Gayle remarked that the Spanish depiction of their Catholicism here was behaps too dark, somber, and bloody. I guess the portrayal of negative consequences does resonate with some folks.

Unexpected to say the least. While I am not religious, this place absolutely felt like sanctuary…read more The grounds are very well kept and the entire place is so well thought out and beautiful. The church is the centerpiece but if you plan on stopping by, give yourself some time to wander the grounds. Such a peaceful place, beautiful architecture, and you can feel the history. I did not expect this to be such a highlight of our New Mexico trip but it definitely was one of the best sights on our trip.

Christ in the desert was the highlight of our road trip across the country…read more The brothers are monks and priests together taking a vow of silence and prayer. There is a gift shop, very much worth visiting. One can also spend overnight if planned ahead in their guest house which is powered by solar panels. BUT there is not cell phone service, at least I had none. They have their own cemetery and bury their residents upon their death, by the next day at noon. Quiet and peace was all about us, I will go back to spend some nights and eat my meals with the brothers

The 13-mile drive through the beautiful Rio Chama Valley sets the stage for the tranquility and…read morespiritual inspiration you will find at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Both a wonderful destination for a day trip and walk through the garden's meditative stations of the cross, or for a religious retreat. Besides the architecturally beautiful chapel, the Monastery also has a great religious store with a vast array of books, devotional medals, meditative guides, and gifts. Truly a special place.

I worked as a graduate student at the Los Alamos National Laboratories back in the 1979-1980 time…read moreframe. The Los Alamos Jewish Center (LAJC) and Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Fe were my spiritual homes during that time. Here's what I remember: Living in G-d's Country - Northern New Mexico The woodsy beauty that surrounded the LAJC building. LAJC served a small community with various levels of observance. And it was great to have all of that under one cooperative roof! Israeli dance nights and social get togethers coordinated by Irwin and Terri Binder. Irwin's parents complementing me on my snappy bent knee during the Aleinu prayer. Me teaching Sunday school and actually running the entire class through a Friday Night service.

I never actually thought to look for Jewish centers on Yelp--what did I know?…read moreAnyway: I happened on Eric's review and just wanted to say my experience of the LAJC community was much the same. I lived in Los Alamos during the 1980s, and my association with LAJC was among the most pleasant parts of my time there. The atmosphere at services, adult education, and Sunday school were all of a piece. People were generous, friendly, helpful, welcoming, and supportive--far more than I ever had the right to expect, and to a degree I'll never be able to reciprocate. Sure, I could name names, but that would just be listing everyone I knew there. If you were there in the '80s, you already know who you are. I also appreciated the role that the physical environment of LAJC played in making it such a positive experience. A lovely building in a lovely Alpine environment.

We were not successful if coming across the falls in the Pueblo, so we did find a simple, but nice…read moreCatholic Church at the entrance to the Pueblo. The parking lot of the church affords you some nice view of the snow capped mountains beyond it at least. Mass must be in session since there's quite a few cars in the back lot. This is a first seeing a clayesque or painter concrete church out west yet.

We have not been by this Church since my wife was at the university and that was sometime ago. She…read morewas studying New Mexico Art History. One of her papers was on the churches of northern New Mexico. We spent the whole weekend driving around northern NM peeking into Churches,taking pictures, asking questions and writing notes. San de Gracia was one of my favorites; built in 1760 in Las Trampas NM.

San Jose de Gracia is a mission church on the High Road to Taos. It's where the state highway…read morebecomes a two-way road with steep drop-offs and spectacular views. New Mexico has its mountains;it's where the Rockies end. San Jose de Gracia is a remote place of pilgrimage;it's a mission church for Holy Family Parish in Chimayo. They have Sunday Masses;it's like the 19 of the 21 California missions still with active congregations. San Jose de Gracia was built in the mid-1700s. It was completed in 1776, the year that the 13 colonies in the East declared independence. When the Liberty Bell rang in Philadelphia, San Jose de Gracia's bell was tolling to announce Mass. It was restored in the 1960s by architect John Gaw Meem, who designed the campus for http://www.sjcsf.edu San Jose de Gracia has beautiful paintings and reredos (altar screens) It's spiritual beauty in the midst of Nature. It's a piece of history that's still in the present. Its adobe walls shine against the stark blue sky and tremendous sunlight. It's a spiritual place in Nature's tabernacle.

Freedom Church is non-denominational. If you are a non believer or just curious this is a great…read moreplace to learn. Mike Brake has a preaching teaching style that helps explain what the Bible is trying to say to you. Welcoming people and actually helping people with real life problems. I have learned more here in a few short years than I ever did at my traditional UMC. I need a teacher and Mike is just that.

This is a non denominational church that simply follows Jesus. The mission is to help people take…read moretheir next steps together in Christ. If you are uncertain about your faith, have previously walked away from faith, have doubts or questions, this is the church for you. If you are already a Jesus follower and want to be a part of a fun, energetic, and loving team to make a difference in Los Alamos and the world, then you will want to check this out. There is an excellent program for children under seven that will have them looking forward to coming back each week. The service features uplifting worship songs and really engaging, practical, relevant sermons for real life issues following Biblical principals that will enhance your life for the better. I have never looked forward so much to going to church on Sundays.