One of the most popular and long-standing churches in Taos has announced plans to build a 5,000 square foot pantry that will go up next to the main house of worship.
Located at 208 Camino De Santiago, the St. James Episcopal Church was opened in the spring of 1960.
Designed in the Spanish Pueblo mission style, the church has twice seen an expansion of its facilities.
In 2006 a new worship space, with nave and choir loft was added. One year later the church added an enlarged parish hall with meeting space and classrooms to its footprint.
Now church officials have secured a conditional use permit from the Taos Planning and Zoning Commission to build the new structure, which will be designed by Taos-based architectural firm of Nottingham Design Associates.
Offering supplemental groceries for up to 450 families locally on a weekly basis, the church is planning for the pantry to serve as a kind of grocery store. That store will make it possible for users to select items in much the same fashion as a shopper picks products in a store.
By Garry Boulard
