Stopped at the Lonely Plains Church, aka as the Taiban Church in New Mexico to show a friend the church on a recent trip to the enchanted state. When I always stop here I observe any changes the building has suffered. It’s amazing the church is still standing given the continued high winds of the Llano Estacado and vandalism. The wooden floor is now more insecure when you walk upon it with some small sections completely gone.
The church suffers more from vandals than anything else. The last time I was here I photographed the main door hardware hinges that are now gone because someone stole the pieces to either sell or display in their homes. Seriously, why can’t people just leave sacred places alone and allow them to silently decay for others to enjoy and photograph? The church would stand in better-untouched silence if vandals would leave it alone!
Yet, even with the vandalism no matter how many times I stop here I always see something new to capture. Like this lone cross sitting in the window. It yields so much beauty sitting simply propped up against the open window with the partial view of the western edge of the Llano Estacado. It’s amazing the recent high winds have not knocked it down or someone has stolen it.
For a while longer the church will remain standing. Hopefully, then it will be the winds that take it away and not vandals.
Photograph – © Christena Stephens Photography
Forgotten Winds 