Tucson

Mission San Xavier del Bac

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  • 1950 West San Xavier Road
     Tucson, Arizona 85746
    +1 520 294 2624
PabloDiablo
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Editor Pick

A Remarkable Mission

  • April 7, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by ak1 from Auburn, Washington
A Remarkable Mission

San Xavier del Bac Mission is a Spanish Catholic mission that has been situated in the Santa Cruz Valley of Tucson since 1783. Currently the church is going through a restoration process but it is still a fully functioning church, the day we visited they were having baptisms.

The inside of the church is unbelievably astounding: painted ceilings and domes, beautiful arches, an extravagantly ornate alter and reverent wall paintings. During their restoration process they hired painters who worked on the restoration of the Sistine Chapel to do some of their interior repairs.

The outside of the church is beautiful as well, it is also referred to as the White Dove of the Desert. The outside middle façade is a Terra Cotta color with ornate statues watching over the entrance to the church. San Xavier de Bac was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The church was built from 1783 to 1797 and little is known about the who built it and the architect. The other mystery about the Mission is why one of the towers was never completed.

Grotto hill, although apparently not part of the mission’s property, paying homage to the Virgin Mary and gated by lions at the entrance makes this landmark all the more intriguing and mysterious.

San Xavier del Bac is a beautiful church rich in history and splendor located in the midst of the desert on an Indian Reservation with wavy hills as surroundings. This is a must see destination for anyone visiting or living near Tucson who enjoys old architecture.

From journal Our Week in the Desert Sun

Editor Pick

San Xavier del Bac Mission

  • June 4, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by ArnyZona from Venlo, Netherlands
San Xavier del Bac Mission

San Xavier del Bac is the oldest mission church in the southwest of the U.S. The church is build from adobe bricks and is one of the best examples of the Spanish-Colonial architecture in America.

Exterior
The mission was build by Franciscan monks in 1797.
The baroq facade of the church is decorated with sculptured images of saints. It can be best photographed in the late afternoon.
East of the mission is a hill with a big cross, from wich you'll have a great aerial view of the mission complex.
To the west, an old graveyard can be found. Please have respect for the local population and stay on the paths.

Interior
The interior of the church is of an unexpected beauty.
The "Retablo Mayor" (main altar) is decorated in a Mexican baroque style. It contains more than 50 statues and sculptures that were produced in Mexico and brought to the Mission, where they were painted and covered in gold folio.
The dome and high transepts are richly decorated with wood carvings and wall paintings showing scenes from the Bible.
Next to the church is a small museum and a store.

From journal Tucson in 1 Day

San Xavier Mission

  • March 19, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by gidget396 from Richmond, Virginia
This mission is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever visited. The original church is still intact and the interior has remained unchanged since 1797. The mission still has regular services. There is also a gift shop on the premises.

From journal Beautiful Tucson

Mission San Xavier Del Bac

  • November 27, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by BurliBear from Overland Park, Kansas
This Mission is a beautiful, still functioning mission to the people in the area.

It is a large, white edifice which is very striking to behold. Touring the inside finds lots of domes, carvings, murals, and a very impressive altar.

Self guided tours allow you to go through the mission at your own pace and appreciate the beauty and grandeur of it.

From journal Tucson - Day Trip from Phoenix

Editor Pick

Mission San Xavier del Bac

  • January 16, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by grimmts from Wadsworth, Ohio
Mission San Xavier del Bac

The mission is nicknamed The White Dove of the Desert. One visit and you'll be captivated by its beauty and history. It is still a Catholic parish serving the Tohono O'odham community for whom it was established in the late 1600's. Admission is free and it's open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We were there on Christmas Eve afternoon and were able to go inside where a service was just about to start. The inside is so elaborate, it's hard to take it all in. They have a visitor's center and bookstore on the east end of the building, and Indian wares are sold nearby.

From journal Tucson: Our Adopted Hometown

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