Discovering the Beauty of San Xavier del Bac Mission Church

 San Xavier del Bac Mission Church, located in South Tucson in southern Arizona, is a captivating and historically significant monument that stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.  With a history dating back to the late 17th century, this Spanish colonial San Xavier mission church has witnessed the unfolding of centuries of religious, cultural, and architectural evolution. 

Admired for its stunning blend of Baroque and Moorish architectural style, Intricate artwork, and profound spiritual significance, the San Xavier del Bac mission church continues to inspire all visitors and serves as a beloved place of worship for the local community.  The present church still serves as the parish church

Join Erin and I as we explore the incredibly beautiful Mission San Xavier del Bac. 

What is the San Xavier del Bac Mission Church?

The San Xavier del Bac Mission Church, a National Historic Landmark, was founded as a Catholic mission by a Jesuit missionary named Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1692. Construction of the original building and current church began in 1783 and was complete in 1797. 

The church’s interior has stunning original statuary and mural paintings.  The mission church is the oldest European structure that’s still intact in Arizona. It serves the needs of the local community, the village of Oaxac, San Xavier District members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, as it still does today.

Origins of the Mission

The roots of San Xavier Del Bac Mission Church go back to the late 17th century. Spanish missionaries, including Father Eusebio Kino, first visited the region starting in 1692. Seeking to spread Christianity among the native Tohono O’odham people. Father Kino began the construction of foundations for a church. However, Father Kino died in in 1711. So, the builders put a halt to finishing the church’s construction at that time.

Original Church Construction

Spanish Franciscan Friars took over the mission starting in 1768. Father Juan Bautista Llorenz,, another Jesuit Priest, received a loan from a Señoran rancher to begin construction of the church in 1783.  The construction of the church took 14 years to complete.  This church is but one of a chain of missions built in northern Mexico and southern Arizona during this time period.

Construction consisted of low-fire clay brick, stone, and lime mortar, with the entire structure roofed with masonry vaults. The architect, Ignacio Llana, designed another church in Caborca, Senora, Mexico, which, from the outside at least, looks almost exactly alike.

History of the Mission Church

Mexican Independence came about in 1921, thus making San Xavier Del Bac Mission Church become a part of Mexico.  The Franciscan Order left in 1837. The mission transitioned back to being part of the United States in 1854 due to the Gadsden purchase.  In 1859, the Mission Church became part of the Diocese of Santa Fe. It became a member of the Diocese of Tucson at its inception in 1866. Regular church services took place in 1886 as well.

The sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet opened at school at the mission in 1872.  Franciscan sisters of Christian charity taught at the school and reside in the convent. Franciscans returned to the mission in 1913. 

Restoration

The church looks amazing considering it was built in the late 1700s, but that didn’t just happen by accident. Many extensive repair and restoration work are complete while some are ongoing.

An earthquake in 1887 damaged parts of the church, especially the mortuary wall. In 1939, lighting struck the West Tower of Lantern, so restorative work has been ongoing as funds become available or urgent needs dictate.  

Patronanto San Xavier

A group of community leaders formed the Patronanto San Xavier in 1978 to help promote the restoration of the Mission Church for future generations.  A comprehensive study was conducted to better understand the building’s condition, helping to formulate a plan for whether restoration efforts would best be prioritized.  They are repairing the historic brick beneath by removing the earlier coating of cement plaster from previous restorations and refinishing the exterior surface with traditional lime plaster. 

The group has collected an impressive amount of over 10 million dollars to help restore the mission church.

Interesting Facts about the Mission Church

1. The mission church is known as the white dove of the desert. The white stucco really stands out on this flat desert-looking area where the Mission Church is located. 
2. The Mission is 105 feet by 70 feet in the transept and 27 feet in the nave. The shape of the church is the Latin cross.  
3. The facade and the church itself are lined with references to the Franciscan cord, the knots in a friar’s belt, that represent poverty, chastity, and obedience. 

4. If you look closely, the details of the facade decorative elements include depictions of the crops that the O’odham people grew, such as squash, grapes, watermelon, wheat, beans, and corn. The plant sculptures are easily seen in the top section of the facade.  

5. Also in the facade are two cats and two mice, referencing a legend claiming the world will end when the cat catches the mouse. 
6. The body is encapsulated in the glass case in the West chapels, the statue of the crucified Christ. It was originally at Tuma mission partway to Nogales when the community was abandoned. In 1849, due to Apache rating, the people moved to San Xavier bringing their saints with them, and was first displayed as the entombed Christ. Later on, it was redefined as the reclining St. Francis Xavier. Concealed in a glass case as it sits today. 
7. In the sacristy, the room just off the altar has something visitors don’t get to see. It’s a carving on the back of the original doors. The door contains an inscription put there by one of the builders, Pedro Barajas. The inscription contains the year of 1797. 

8. Behind the altar where you see the statue of God at the very top.  So that version doesn’t include a long white beard or white hair as kind of the traditional image would be. In fact, God has red hair in the sculpture. Why? Evidently, a red-headed Spanish artisan worked on that piece of the church. And created it as a representation of himself. 

9. Another feature to look for in front of the altar, above the angel on the left side, is a black snail. But if you go up a little further and to the left, you see there’s a rabbit. Evidently, left by an artisan wanting to leave his own little mark in the church. 
10. The smaller chapel is the Mortuary Chapel. This small chapel is just to the west of the Mission San Xavier Del Boc’s front entrance. It houses statues of saints as well as candles used for special prayers. The workers built the chapel in 1796. The chapel’s wall was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1887.

11. The East tower is missing the top dome as the builders frankly ran out of money.  They finished the rest of the church, but at that point, they just didn’t have any more funds to finish the tower. 

12. The mission church is a national historic landmark (in 1960) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (in 1966). 
13. Many people like to go and walk the nearby Grotto Hill. On the north side of the hill, a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, which is a shrine to the Virgin Mary, was built in 1908. There’s also a cross at the very top and a lion statue on the hill. The hill also provides a more overhead perspective of the mission church.  

Where is the Mission Church Located?

The mission is 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, just off Interstate 19. Take exit 92, which is the San Xavier Road, and follow signs to the mission.  The mission is located in the San Xavier Reservation, part of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Over 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish colonial architecture in the United States. 

Conclusion

The San Xavier Del Bac Mission Church is the most interesting and one of the most iconic mission churches we’ve ever seen. The incredible murals, paintings, and statues located throughout the church really truly are a sight to see. We highly recommend visiting this mission church if you get the chance.  

Look, if you like this content, you want to check out all our other Posts covering Tucson and its surrounding attractions, including the Saguaro National Park and trails,  the old Bisbee mining town and mine tour,  Tombstone with its cemetery and an old atmosphere, old town atmosphere,  Hacienda Linda bed and breakfast. You will also want to explore our Epic Arizona Trip video playlist on YouTube.

Also, check out all our other videos covering the many fun and historical attractions we have on our Travel with D& E channel. Do us a favor and subscribe, that way you get to know when we put a video out. Like the video and share it with your family and friends.  Remember to put a comment below if you’ve visited the San Xavier del Bac Mission Church in South Tucson.