San Xavier del Bac Mission
Grounds Gate
Chapel: closed to the public
Page Updated: March 10, 2023
If you search for “stuff to do in Tucson”, this mission appears near the top of every list. San Xavier del Bac Mission - covered in a brilliant white stucco that gleams in the desert sun – accurately earns the nickname “the white dove of the desert.”
San Xavier del Bac Mission - Tucson AZ
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, this Spanish Catholic Mission includes the main church, mortuary chapel, dormitory, patio, garden, and convent.* Founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Kino to spread Christianity to the ToHono O’odham Nation, the church finally opened its doors in 1797.
The main structure is a mix of Byzantine and Moorish design* and is a beautiful piece of architecture. Adobe and lime mortar provide the bones – stucco, the façade. Mismatched belfries stand as a testament to the ongoing work that continues when funds are available. The Mission has had a couple of disasters requiring repairs and restorations over the decades: lightening, an earthquake… and then there’s time.
As luck would have it, restoration work was underway the day of our visit. Scaffolding and tarps made exterior photos a challenge. Extraordinary exterior broad shots can be found online.
Restoration 2021
The interior is elaborate, and the reredos is particularly ornate. Detailed murals adorn the ceiling and walls, and religious statuary is placed throughout the church. Probably my ignorance, but it’s not how I imagined a Spanish Mission in the middle of the desert. It’s stunning to see.
Sanctuary - San Xavier del Bac Mission
The mission remains active and still serves the needs of the people for which it was created. Tourists are welcomed, and the mission gift shop sits tucked in the eastern courtyard. Visitors can attend mass, but not take sacrament. The church is not available for rent. And the mission never grants permission for cinema or commercial use.
Courtyard Mosaic - San Xavier del Bac Mission
Visitors to the Mission should also check out nearby San Xavier Plaza. The Plaza contains a couple of shops with extensive choices of Native American jewelry and associated crafts, as well as a snack shop and a few picnic tables speckled around the courtyard if you need a break.
-b&b
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
