San Xavier del Bac Mission

"The White Dove of the Desert"

Mission San Xavier del Bac is situated in the Santa Cruz Valley nine miles south of Tucson. The celebrated Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, first visited Bac in 1692. Eight years later in 1700, Father Kino laid the foundations of the first church, some two miles north of the present site of the Mission. He named it San Xavier in honor of his chosen patron, St. Francis Xavier.

The Chapel

Inside the Chapel

Inside the Church

The Mission School

The present church was built from 1783 - 1797 by the Franciscan Fathers. San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture. After more than two hundred years, the Francisan Friars are still here serving the needs of the faithful. San Xavier del Bac Mission is a fully functioning parish church within the Diocese of Tucson. We also hiked up the nearby hill located right of the church. There is a path around the hill, (photo above) and you will find a 'prayer fence', or at least a wrought iron fence where people have left candles, ribbons, photos etc. Susan, you and your camera would have loved this! It was a beautiful day and a truly awesome experience!