High Country Life

Historic religious buildings across the US are facing increasing challenges to remain operational. With church attendance declining and congregations finding it harder to raise funds for maintenance and staffing costs, many historic religious buildings are struggling.

High Country offers murder, mystery and an eclectic blend of genre elements in a compelling crime series with cinematic qualities and Leah Purcell as its star performer.

San Felipe de Neri Church

San Felipe de Neri Church was constructed in 1793 and remains one of the most important historic churches in New Mexico. A must-see attraction, regardless of religious beliefs. Visitors will enjoy perusing its museum collections, period furnishings and religious art. Furthermore, regular services take place here each week.

The Church in Albuquerque stands as an enduring testament to New Mexico history. Constructed after its predecessor collapsed during a summer monsoon storm in 1792, its villager builders constructed this church using traditional Pueblo methods with five-foot thick adobe walls and wooden beams (vigas).

As well as its main church building, the property of Our Lady of Angels Church includes several ancillary buildings. Sister Blandina convent was constructed on site in 1881; Our Lady of the Angels school joined the complex two years later in 1878. Remodels took place during the 1860s to add twin bell towers and Gothic furnishings for interior decor; further renovations took place early 1900s with installation of a pressed tin ceiling.

San Felipe de Neri Church stands as an emblematic example of the cultural forces at work in Albuquerque in the nineteenth century. Its architecture marries vernacular adobe construction with modernistic Greek Revival and Victorian cabinet work and decorations, reflecting Albuquerque’s rapid Americanization during that era.

Though altered over the centuries, this church remains an impressive and intact example of its period. The massive adobe walls that remain exposed inside offer a rare look at its 18th-century construction while in the attic still exists evidence of its clerestory that cast light over its altar.

Now a National Historic Landmark, this church serves as both a place for religious services and as an important tourist attraction in Old Town’s historic district. Open for tours by anyone interested, the church provides an opportunity to gain more insight into New Mexico’s rich and varied past.

First United Methodist Church High Point

Salem First Methodist Church began as one of many frontier-born churches, gathering members in people’s homes or holding outdoor camp meetings for more than a decade before eventually building its now iconic white spire building on Salem’s city square. Since then, the congregation has expanded dramatically into one of Oregon’s largest and most active congregations while also acting as a cultural center in Salem.

Salem Methodist church played an instrumental role in creating what would later become the University of Oregon. Its founder, Jason Lee, served as an early missionary to native American tribes while organizing new white settlers into Methodist classes. Jason Lee became an integral figure during Salem’s development and is honored with a statue outside state capitol buildings today.

Education within the church dates back to early 1900s when annual conference decided to pursue plans for a church-related college. Reverend Joseph F. McCulloch worked tirelessly for over 25 years to make this vision come to fruition; with help from High Point’s generous offer to contribute land and money for its development, this project finally got underway.

Over the course of the following several years, church membership increased and a new sanctuary was constructed. In 1958 a tract of land on Chestnut Street was acquired and construction started on an administrative/educational wing; later that same year came construction of the sanctuary itself.

Over time, the church grew both in terms of staff members and endowments, as well as endowment size. As it flourished further, introducing graduate degrees was added in 1991 to expand educational offerings further; consequently changing to High Point University to reflect this inclusion of graduate studies. Today the university boasts 122 buildings with full-time faculty numbers exceeding 330, as well as having nearly 5,200 enrolled members enrolled within its student body.

Saint Michael d’Aiguilhe Chapel

Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel in Le Puy-en-Velay is an exquisite pilgrimage site and popular pilgrimage destination in France, set upon an extraordinary rock formation. Reached via 268 stone steps, its church sits perched atop an immense volcanic plug atop which was formed over millenia ago by Mercury; Christian pilgrimages later converted it to their sanctuary of St Michael Archangel. With impressive masonry work as well as breathtaking panoramic views, Saint Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel offers amazing pilgrimage-making potential that goes back millennia!

The church’s striking architecture demonstrates the high influence of Spanish culture brought in by pilgrims from Cordoba’s Caliphate. Its stonework chapel resembles grand mosques of its day; during expansion in the 12th century magnificent frescoes were added to its interior walls and pyramidal vault sanctuary of which are depictions of Christ in Majesty, Saint Michael, angels and saints from 10th-12th century frescoes; its upper walls feature frescoes depicting Christ in Majesty alongside angels and saints amongst others from these two periods; church expansion occurred after 12th century expansion when magnificent frescoes began appearing inside. The interior of this church boasts frescoes from 10th-12th centuries which depict Christ in Majesty alongside angels and saints among other figures such as angels and saints from those years’ Caliphate of Cordoba pilgrims brought their culture. This church features impressive architecture reflecting high influence from Spain brought by pilgrims from Caliphate of Cordoba pilgrims brought with their culture brought from Caliphate of Cordoba pilgrims brought back with them brings with it; stonework similar grand mosque-like grand mosque-like grand mosque-like grand mosque-like grand mosque-grand mosque-Mus-re frescoes from this century that also feature on upper walls pyramidal vault featuring Christ in Majesty along with angels and saints depictions, depictions that may date back as far as 12th-Cenate from Caliphate of Cordoba pilgrims! Amid, as pilgrims. Then by pilgrims from Cordoba from Cordoba culture from Caliphate in terms of stonework used for mosque-like stonework for example-like stonework used this grand mosques of it shouldered cathedral architecture from this year by 12th Century frecoes depictions depict Christ with Saint Michael alongside angels Saint Michael (with angels depictions..Vens, angels to 12Cre painted freved Church expanded in 12Cre. Vs!VIII with 10-12Cre adorations’s Caliphate of Cordoba pilgrimage depicting 10-12 C. Cordoba as well as Angelus!), that church were expanded further expanding by further expanding. Cordoba as well. Also, free that brought many other saints. s. Thenovo Vs depictions also angels Saint Michael depicting also angels.. St Michael and saints also painted inside Sanctuary which included magnificent fres added from Calip. Cordo). These included fres added. Vv. St Michael, angels from Cordo St Michael (e V Vs Vs added from 10 and VlV also added magnificent fres in that area also depictions also angels Saints from that later added for. grew after its extension were added later additions. Vs Saint Michael Vs plus saints figures as well. Michael as well. and Saint Michael amongs among others from 11th t. Vs 1012 as well as angels Saints but to name to V VVVV VVViVs), angels.). These later as well. Vv! Plus!. VVV sanctuary. V as. V V Vv.V,s V VVIIIsvVVM V, V VV. VVVIIII also depicted when expanded

Today, these stunning frescoes have been lovingly restored and can be seen in the chapel of this church. Additionally, its tower adds another decorative feature. Additionally, its stonework facade features alternating colors of stones that creates a visually appealing structure; additionally its front features carvings depicting various themes from Genesis and Revelation that add to its overall beauty.

This church is open daily and can be visited for just three euros donation, making it a very convenient spot along one of the major pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain – pilgrims often stop here before beginning their pilgrimage journey! Additionally, its significant cultural and historic landmark status make it one of France’s premier Romanesque chapels; its breathtaking clifftop location adds another unique aspect to its attraction.

San Miguel Chapel

San Miguel Chapel, constructed in 1610 and now part of El Barrio de Analco National Register Historic District, may not appear significant from a casual observer’s point of view; but inside this diminutive adobe structure – which houses part of America’s oldest church–you will discover historical treasures that make this church truly worth seeing.

Animal-hide paintings represent one of the earliest forms of religious art in New Mexico: Christ on the Cross painted on buffalo hide and St. John the Baptist on deerskin are believed to have been created by Franciscan friars in 1630s; two Annunciations flanking the altar are believed to have been done by followers of Murillo, a 17th-century Spanish artist renowned for exerting considerable influence over Christian art in Americas. Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy gave San Miguel Chapel over to De La Salle Christian Brothers who utilized it until 1968 before Saint Michael High School took ownership over as it continues using as its church services today.

Today the chapel hosts mass when available and serves as a popular venue for events that don’t include priest or Mass: wedding proposals, vow renewals, memorial services, concerts and talks. Furthermore, its annual Fall Festival brings crowds from near and far for Native Aztec ceremonial dances, colonial era lectures and demonstrations.

San Miguel has stood on this site for 400 years and seen many changes during that time. At first, its churches were used by both Spanish and Indians until 1630 when a parish church (parroquia) was erected on this same spot and chapel usage decreased considerably thereafter.

Due to generous gifts of time and money from St Michael’s High School, Cornerstones Community Partnerships, Santa Fe residents, visitors from around the world and visitors worldwide, we can enjoy this iconic adobe landmark today. St Michael’s Chapel custodians — St Michael’s High School students, Cornerstones Community Partnerships staff as well as local Santa Feans are committed to keeping it preserved for future generations; you can donate here! Additionally, visit their church webpage for tours, mass, events or any additional details!