San Xavier del Bac Mission is one of Arizona’s oldest churches and the oldest intact European structure in the state.
While it attracts thousands of visitors each year, San Xavier Del Bac Mission is the perfect day trip destination for both Tucson and Valley-area residents.
The mission is an active Catholic church. In addition to mass, the church also holds events like weddings and funerals.
San Xavier Del Bac Mission is located along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1,200-mile trail with sites across 20 counties in Arizona, California and Mexico. The trail follows the Anza colonization expedition of 1775, with historical sites on the way like San Xavier del Bac Mission.
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Is San Xavier del Bac Mission the oldest church in Arizona?
San Xavier del Bac Mission is generally regarded as the oldest Roman Catholic church in Arizona. It was founded in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
At the time, Southern Arizona was still part of New Spain and was under Spanish rule. Juan Bautista Velderrain began construction on the church with money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher and received help from architect Ignacio Gaona and O’odham workers.
San Xavier became a part of Mexico with its independence in 1821. Then, with the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, it became part of the United States.
Today, the mission is located near the village of Wa:k on the Tohono O’odham Reservation.
How can I visit San Xavier del Bac Mission?
The mission is about nine miles south of downtown Tucson and is accessible via Interstate 19 and San Xavier Road.
The church is free to visit, attracting 200,000 visitors per year.
The church is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for weddings, funerals or other events. The museum also operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the gift shop is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nonprofit organization Patronato San Xavier also offers free tours every day except for Sundays.
According to the church’s website, it is not available for rent. And while people all over the world may want an event held at the church, its website says weddings, funerals and baptisms are only available for community members.
While anyone is welcome to attend mass, the website also says the church believes that “one’s sacramental life should be shared within a person’s local parish community.”
Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson.
Hours: The church and museum are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The gift shop is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tours are available. More information on tour times is available at patronatosanxavier.org/visit.
More information: 520-294-2624, extension 108. sanxaviermission.org.
Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: San Xavier del Bac Mission: How to visit the 200-year-old church
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Publish date : 2024-08-30 01:01:00
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