San Xavier del Bac, Tucson AZ
Living in Arizona, I get to travel around a bit. Near Tucson, Arizona is an amazing mission, San Xavier del Bac. My husband and I first visited it shortly after moving to the southwest. I was awed by the beauty, age and history of the building.
The history of the mission predates the entrance of the Arizona Territory to the United States. In fact, it first stood on ground that was part of New Spain. It was built in a Spanish Colonial style and is considered the oldest European structure in the whole state of Arizona.
Originally, it was established as a Franciscan Mission to serve the native tribe of the Tohono O’odham nation. It sits on their Indian Reservation. It was established in the year of 1692 by a priest–Father Eusebio Kino. It’s name means ” the place where water appears” in the Tohono O’odham language. Probably because it is near the Santa Cruz River. It it also lovingly called the “white dove of the desert”. Today, it is a national historic landmark (1963) with over 200,000 visitors each year. It is still used for worship services today and has a convent (Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet) and a school for the Tohono O’odham children.
Construction on the church that stands here today began in 1783 and was finished in 1797. Considerably more elaborate in style, it is a prime example of Baroque architecture using clay bricks, stone and lime mortar to hold it together. The roof was constructed using masonry vaults and arches. It uses white stucco and has a moorish flare. This makes it quite unusual for a spanish colonial style. It was built using a large population of Tohono O’odham workers.
It has lived in several countries before becoming part of the United States. First, residing in New Spain. After Mexican independence in 1821, the mission became a part of Sonora, Mexico. But after the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, it finally became a part of the United States.
No one knows who the artists were that decorated the interior of the mission. They probably came from New Spain (Mexico) but the paintings, carvings, statues and frescoes are beautiful and probably reflect a mixture of both New Spain and Native American artistic design.
It is an amazing sight to see. I was able to see it again in 2014, when my aunts (Mom’s sisters) came to visit Mom. I took them sight-seeing around different areas but this was a special experience. My aunts took what seemed like hundreds of photos of the Mission. I can honestly say it is the most extraordinary church I have ever visited in the United States. Well worth a visit if you ever find yourself down Tuscon way.
It sits about 10 miles south of Tucson, AZ on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. It has free admission and is open daily except during church services.
Don’t forget to put this on your southwest destination sites! Just understand that it does sit in the desert where the temps soar to over 100 degrees from May through August.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There is a small store to purchase candles that you can light for a departed loved one or a person in need, as well as other little souvenirs.
San Xavier del Bac Mission
1950 San Xavier Road, Tucson AZ 857
Contact me at: taketimetolivelife@outlook.com