Mission of San Xavier del Bac - Tucson, Arizona

(Photo provided)

Destination: The Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited area that would become the Mission of San Xavier del Bac 1692.  Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier, the illustrious Jesuit “Apostle of the Indies.” The present church was built between 1783 and 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. Francisan Friars continue to serve at the mission.

Masses at the mission are held at 6:30 a.m. Monday-Friday in Juan Diego Chapel; 8:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays from October through May. (Sunday Masses are one hour earlier in the summer.)

Why to go: If you visit the southwest, this is a stop worth making, both for its religious and historic value. As one of the oldest Catholic Churches in the U.S., it  represents a landmark of the faith in the continent. It also demonstrates the melding of the several architectural styles — Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance — with the traditional building materials of the Tohono O’odham, the native Americans for whom the mission was founded.

Restoration and maintenance work over the last 20 years has returned much of the building to its original beauty, both inside and out. The harsh desert climate, however,  demands continual attention to the state of the buidlings. An ongoing fund drive helps pay for the upkeep, so donations are happilly accepted from visitors.

Amenities: A gift shop is open daily (except Easter and Christmas) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Among items in the shop are crafts from the Tohono O’odham, renown for their fine basket work.

Access: The site is fairly easy to get around, but there are not a lot of paved areas on the grounds.

(Grand) Kid friendly: There is plenty of room for walking on the grounds, and kids are welcome at the site, but there are no special areas for them.

Info: Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson, AZ 85746-7409. Phone: 520/294-2624. Web: www.sanxaviermission.org

--By Sharon Boehlefeld

Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org