The remains of an old church stand over the cemetery at the Taos Pueblo. The ruins are a reminder of the Taos Rebellion in January, 1847, when Indians and Hispanics rose up against the occupation of New Mexico by the United States.

The rebels - we might call them insurgents now - killed the New Mexican governor, Charles Bent, as well as several other prominent members of the Anglo community. Soon the U.S. Army marched its soldiers north from Sante Fe. The insurgents met the U.S. forces twice, and twice they were defeated, well south of Taos.

After their second defeat, some of the rebels sought refuge in the San Geronimo de Taos church in the Pueblo, and the soldiers marched unopposed through the streets of Taos by February 3rd. They surrounded the pueblo and bombarded the church. About 150 Indians and Hispanics, including many non-combatants, were killed, and later 20 or more leaders of the insurgency were executed.

Today, a new church stands inside the Taos Pueblo. The ruins of the old church are just outside the central plaza, where they serve as reminder of that long ago massacre.