Beaming & shimmering white across the desert, the Mission San Xavier del Bac, is one of the oldest and premier missions in the southwest.
A National Historic Landmark, the San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners--most of whom are members of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Tohono O'odham means Desert People in their language.
We wandered the buildings (always a restoration in progress), marveled at some of the original (?) construction and paintings, and caught a few early wildflowers.
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| Mission San Xavier del Bac. The White Dove of the Desert. Still a very active parish. |
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| View off the rear patio. |
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| Symbol for the Tohono O'odham peoples |
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| Statute for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha She is a Native American Indian |
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| Altar |
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| View of the nave |
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| Spring Wildflower |
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