Special offer

San Xavier del Bac Mission - Exquisite Craftsmanship (Restoration in Progress)

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty One Group Mountain Desert AZDRE# SA582422000

Just south of Tucson is the stunning, yet often overlooked San Xavier del Bac Mission.  "The White Dove of the Desert" is a jewel among missions in the Desert Southwest.  Known for its beautiful lines outside and amazing detail inside, the church is in the process of restoration and preservation that is an ongoing project, the interior alone taking 6 years--finishing in 1997.


 

   Likeness of St. Francis--Patron Saint of San Xavier

The exterior is still undergoing restoration, as evidenced by the difference between the two towers shown below:

 

Although restoration is ongoing, the church is still active--holding regular services.  The mission is open 7 days a week, free of charge, but donations are appreciated.

 

 

To learn more about the San Xavier del Bac Mission, visit their website.

  TucsonKent Signature
Kent Simpson REALTOR®, e-Certified®, AHS® (with The Pepper Group™ Diversified Real Estate): Real Estate Agent in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona  web counter

Follow Me On Twitter

Posted by

TucsonKent Signature
Real Estate Is About People

NAR® Board of Directors 2013-16
   Land Use, Property Rights & Environment 2016
   RPAC Participation Council 2014-16
   Federal Finance & Housing Policy 2013-14

AAR® Board of Directors 2013-16
   Legislative Policy 2013-16


Inside Tucson Business "Up & Comer" 2014

Greater Tucson Leadership Class of 2012

 


Visit our facebook pageLink to our YouTube Channellink to Kent Simpson's LinkedIn profileFollow the TucsonKent Group's Twitter Feed
Bookmark and Share

web counter

All original material written by Kent Simpson unless attributed to source.©2007-2014

 

Comments (16)

Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Kent, it is certainly an impressive building.  It looks like quite a worthwhile project to refurbish!

May 13, 2008 06:25 PM
Kevin O'Shea
Coldwell Banker - White Plains, NY
White Plains, NY Real Estate

Looks like a beautiful place, nice pictures.

All the best!

May 13, 2008 07:29 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

These are lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. Looks like a good place to go visit.

May 13, 2008 08:02 PM
Eric Kodner
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

I remember visiting San Xavier del Bac when I lived in Tucson back in the 1980s.  I worked with the Tucson Symphony then and we performed and taught at the Mission school nearby.

What a lovely place!

May 13, 2008 08:16 PM
Doreen McPherson
Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ
Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

Yes, it is a beautiful place.  Haven't been there for years, but it was always on the circuit when relatives visited way back when.  Nice photos, too. 

May 13, 2008 08:28 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Kent,

This is one of my favorite haunts.  The United States doesn't have much in the way of ancient architecture, but this chapel, going back to the 1700s, will do for me.

Mike in Tucson

May 13, 2008 11:47 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Tony & Darcy
It sure is impressive--especially compared to the austere nature of the immediate area.  Thanks for stopping by.

Kevin, Bob & Carolyn, Doreen
Thanks for the comments--I wish some of the other photos turned out, but perhaps the next visit.

Eric
Do you still play?

Mike
One of the things I love about the Desert Southwest is the ancient architecture going back to the 1700s, 1500s and even further--have you been to Taos or Acoma Pueblos in New Mexico?

 

May 14, 2008 04:49 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

I realized just the other day that I have never seen this Arizona landmark. That's like living in San Antonio and not visiting the Alamo (which I did over a two year period).

May 15, 2008 04:02 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Kent

That is a really fine looking mission, for sure.

God Bless The U.S.A.

May 20, 2008 09:37 AM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Chuck - isn't it amazing how many wonders there are yet to discover...even with a lifetime of living in an area?

Dale - thanks for stopping by, buddy!

May 20, 2008 01:50 PM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Kent, the photos are amazing...thanks for sharing these with us.  Great post.

May 23, 2008 10:06 AM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Thanks for the kind words, Gary - just a cheapo Kodak digital...the credit goes to the folks at the Mission who restored it so well!

May 23, 2008 12:30 PM
Robin Sherman
www.PensacolaForYou.com - Grand Points Realty - Pensacola, FL
Search Pensacola Homes, For Sale - Pensacola FL Neighborhoods

Kent - Great photos on an interesting subject. Thank goodness these historical treasures are being perserved.

May 24, 2008 03:48 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Kent,

Very cool!  Thanks for commenting on my post and leaving a link.

Mike in Tucson

Oct 18, 2009 04:42 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Robin - thanks!  I love the history of our region.

Mike - you inspire me even when you don't know it!

Oct 18, 2009 05:02 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Thanks for the inside shots it is just as grand inside as out.

Oct 19, 2009 05:14 PM