A Sense of Mission: Historic Churches of the Southwest [Paperback]

Thomas A. Drain (Author), David Wakely (Photographer), N. Scott Momaday (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Visually beautiful and historically important, the Spanish missions of the United States are a unique legacy of two very different cultures. Conceived as an expression of the Catholic faith of the European conquerors, they were built and maintained by native Americans, who incorporated their own traditions. A Sense of Mission presents 29 of these fascinating and popular churches in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California. More than 150 color photographs feature dramatic exteriors and grounds, altarpieces, statues, carvings, frescoes, and other folk details. The text explores the history of the missions, how they were built, and the meaning behind their symbols, while an introduction by N. Scott Momaday lends insight from the Native American perspective. Visitor information, maps, and an annotated reading list round out this handsome, authoritative guide of more than a decade.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Wakely's photographs and Drain's writing beautifully portray the ruins and buildings of the Spanish missions of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California. The book includes visitor information, maps, and an annotated reading list in addition to over 150 color photographs of the buildings, grounds, altarpieces, statues, carvings, and details of the 25-plus churches featured. The photography is striking and vivid, and Drain's accessible text explores the history of the missions, the techniques of their construction, how the art was done, and something about the symbolism used in the design of the buildings, altar panels, and frescoes. With a foreword by N. Scott Momaday; recommended for general readers.
- Chuck Malenfant, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Wakely is an architectural and travel photographer whose work has appeared widely. He lives in San Francisco.

Thomas A. Drain is an architect and former icon painter who holds a master's degree in theology.

N. Scott Momaday is a Kiowa Indian writer and the author of several books, including House Made of Dawn , for which he received the Pulitzer Prize.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811843149
• ISBN-13: 978-0811843140
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous!, March 24, 2000

By 

jmoney "jms63" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Sense of Mission: Historic Churches of the Southwest (Paperback)

I purchased this book after a recent visit to the Santuario de Chimayo near Taos, New Mexico, which is one of the churches it features. The photos are absolutely gorgeous and provide an excellent feel for the incredible beauty of these wonderful, historical buildings. The book covers everything from each church's unique architecture to the fascinating folk art that can be found within.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Museum of Mission Photography, September 28, 2002

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S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Sense of Mission: Historic Churches of the Southwest (Paperback)

This book features superb photography of the historic Catholic missions built in the southwest states and California. The beautiful photographs, many of them full-page, are of exterior and interior views of the missions, as well as closeups of architectural and artistic details. A short written history accompanies each featured mission, and although there are some mentions of the historical personages and events connected with the missions, most of the histories refer to the physical aspects of the missions such as their construction, remodeling, etc. This is a great coffee-table or armchair traveler book, but one will need to look elsewhere for a serious study about mission history.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Picture Book, August 23, 2010

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Britt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Sense of Mission: Historic Churches of the Southwest (Paperback)

A Sense of Mission: Historic Churches of the Southwest, is a beautiful book. Its pages are filled with lovely color photographs of Spanish Missions all over the Southwest territories and plenty of information behind each church. Fascinating!I used it to learn a lot fro the book I am writing.