MARFA — The Friends of the Ruidosa Church will hold two events this week highlighting and celebrating progress on the historic adobe church on the Rio Grande, then will follow up next week with an art exhibit.
The nonprofit Friends group was founded in 2018 to bring the El Corazón Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus — a Catholic Church built in 1915 whose claims to fame include what is perhaps the largest adobe arch in Texas — back to its original glory, making it a focal point of the small border communities and providing a foundation for telling the history and stories of the area.
On Thursday, the group will host a presentation on the completion of a Historic Structure Report, which addresses the question: “How does a church built of mud and straw remain standing for over 100 years in the Chihuahuan Desert?” The report — authored by Marfa architectural consultants MUDLAB — outlines a roadmap for restoration, along with a history of the church. The free event will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Crowley Theater in Marfa.
Organizers with the Friends group note that the report program will be a perfect primer to seeing the church in person for its annual Community Day on Saturday, November 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church on Highway 170, 37 miles west of Presidio in Ruidosa. The event, which includes food, beverages and music, is free. This year also highlights the art of Aurora Castellanos — with this year’s theme of Abrazo en la Frontera (Embrace at the Border).
On Thursday, November 19, Castellanos’ art will be on display from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Do Right Hall in Marfa. For more information see ruidosachurch.org.
