A new book, Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage, by award-winning author John Taylor, has just been published by the Valencia County Historical Society.

Former State Historian Robert J. Torrez wrote,

Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage is much more than the title implies. This wonderfully illustrated and easy to read volume goes beyond the history of Roman Catholic heritage in the historic Villa de Alburquerque. The author opens with the stories behind the original San Felipe Neri Church in today’s “old town” and skillfully shows the development of the numerous parishes that developed as the city expanded and incorporated the myriad communities and local chapels that dotted the middle Rio Grande Valley, including histories of churches and parishes located north and south of greater Albuquerque, as well as those along the eastern slope of the Sandia mountains. These stories are enhanced by dozens of seldom or never-before published photographs as well as many contemporary images not only of churches, but of individuals that contributed to the development and growth of the Roman Catholic heritage in the greater Albuquerque region.

The book describes over 100 parishes, missions, and other affiliated institutions.  Its 183 pages are richly illustrated with 300 color images and over 100 historical black and white images.  The document is also thoroughly indexed for ease of study.

Albuquerque's Roman Catholic Heritage is available on Amazon or at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts for $30. For additional information or questions, please contact John Taylor at jtlymtnest@aol.com or Louis Huning at huninglo@loslunasnm.gov.