• Boondocking Map
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Road Pickle
Menu
  • Boondocking Map
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Home  /  Arizona • Destinations • Museums • West  /  Tucson, AZ: Mission San Xavier Del Bac
san xavier del bac
08 March 2015

Tucson, AZ: Mission San Xavier Del Bac

Written by Steve Johnson
Arizona, Destinations, Museums, West 1 Comment

The Mission San Xavier Del Bac is located just outside of Tucson, AZ inside the San Xavier Indian Reservation.

Established in 1692 by Jesuits, it’s part of the Sonoran Desert Chain of Missions that stretches from Mexico into Arizona. The original building was actually destroyed in 1770 by Apaches. The structure seen today started construction in 1783 by Franciscans who apparently continued the Jesuit philosophy of architecture and art, and completed in 1797.

Sash and I visited the Mission yesterday during our three-week stay in Tucson. I had previously visited here in 1999 during my interest in ghost towns and American history. Since then, the San Xavier Indian Reservation put in a gravel parking lot and vendor booths for indian fry bread.

During my first visit, I was amazed at the level of detail inside the Mission. The carvings, the statues, the paintings, all exquisite, ancient, and painstakingly laborious. But during the 1600s and early 1700s, when the Jesuit Order dominated the Spanish infiltration of the New World, western civilization was deep in Baroque art. The inside of Mission San Xavier Del Bac reflects that expression.

Knowing Sash held an interest in art, I wanted to bring her here to see real history and art up close.

If you love art, history, and can appreciate the man hours and dedication it took to build this mission, you’ll spend hours, if not days, exploring each statue, carving, and painting that decorates the interior.

Sash and I both grew up in Southern California, we were already well familiar with the mission system of Alta California, founded by Franciscans. Those mission structures reflect the more conservative, structured, and humble way of worship. Hence, to step into a mission with the level of ornate detail as that of San Xavier Del Bac, just blows our minds.

Even though the mission has gone through restorations, the antiquity is still easily seen. Pieces of fingers have broken off from statues, edges of carvings are worn smooth, and cracks are seen in paintings. You can literally walk up and touch them, unlike the policy at many art museums.

Mission San Xavier Del Bac is still a functioning mission today. Mass is still served daily as has been since its founding over 320 years ago. It’s still the cultural center of the local Wa:k people, and where they gather as a community.

Mission San Xavier Del Bac
1950 W San Xavier Rd
Tucson, AZ 85746
(520) 294-2624
Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 7 days a week
Admission: free

san xavier del bac
Mission San Xavier Del Bac stands stunning across the Indian reservation
san xavier del bac motorcycle
This parking lot is a newer addition to the Mission.
sash and steve
Sash trying out her new selfie stick
san xavier del bac
When you walk into the mission building, you are awestruck at the detail.
san xavier del bac
Hundreds of candles are placed here by local patrons.
san xavier del bac
The entire sanctuary of the church is covered in detail.
san xavier del bac
Statues like this adorn the church.
crucifix jesus san xavier del bac
Jesus did not actually wear a hair clip when he was crucified.
crucifix
It’s cool to see the wood grain in this crucifix
san xavier del bac
One of the two large angels looking over the mass
candles san xavier del bac
A bank of candles in one of the wings
san xavier del bac
A Spaniard hanging on a wall
jesus carving
Dozens of a Jesus statues inside the charnel house.
cherub statue
Old cherub carving on the wall.
friar statue
A friar statue with a child
jesus statue
Jesus statue looks prominent.
san xavier del bac
One of two lions standing guard at the Altar.
statue of mary
Mary looks down on the parishioners.
mary magdalene
Mary Magdalene looks up in prayer
san xavier del bac
The cracks and chips shows this statue’s antiquity.
san xavier del bac
A spanish friar.
san xavier del bac
Another Jesus statue
san xavier del bac
Some kind of religious icon, I’m not sure
church pews
Church pews, note the painted pattern on the wall
snake door handle
The front door of the church has a snake and mouse as handles.
san xavier del bac
Another statue looking down at the parishioners
statues san xavier del bac
Expressive statue on display inside the church museum.
water fountain mission
Sash seated in the courtyard.
mission san xavier del bac
Walking through the original Mission cemetery
friar eusebio kino
Statue of Friar Eusebio Kino, the founder of San Xavier Del Bac
sash at mission san xavier del bac
Sash walking through the Mission grounds.

Steve Johnson
Connect on Facebook Connect on Twitter Connect on Linkedin

Having first started riding in 1985 on a Kawasaki KZ400, Steve has ridden all across the United States and Canada. He currently travels full time on his Honda ST1300, living wherever he can find a friendly roof. Follow him on, "Motorcycle Philosophy".

 Previous Article Yuma, AZ to Tucson, AZ: Feb 28, 2015
Next Article   Lindy’s on 4th: Best Burger in Tucson

Related Posts

  • chamberlain, south dakota rest area

    Really Cool Rest Area – Chamberlain, SD, I-90

    August 5, 2019
  • Wagon Wheel Rest Area – Kayenta, Arizona

    May 5, 2019
  • Moqui Cave – Oldest Tavern in Southern Utah

    April 30, 2019

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: Tucson to Bakersfield: March 30, 2015 | Road Pickle

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

road pickle

I'm a "Man in Black", one of those guys who goes around dressed in black suits, looking for people who were abducted by UFOs so that we can keep them quiet. Sash and I travel around in this trailer awaiting orders from headquarters for my next assignment. I can't show you the details of my work, but I can show you how I live.

Follow us here on Road Pickle...

how to camp for free

Topics

  • Blog (37)
  • Camping (58)
  • Central (21)
    • Illinois (6)
    • Indiana (5)
    • Iowa (6)
    • Minnesota (3)
    • Missouri (1)
  • Destinations (32)
    • Hikes (3)
    • Museums (7)
    • Parks (9)
    • Roadside Attractions (16)
    • Towns (2)
  • Lodgings (2)
  • Northeast (2)
    • Pennsylvania (2)
  • Pacific (53)
    • California (38)
    • Oregon (11)
    • Washington (4)
  • Restaurants (24)
  • Roads (9)
  • Towns (1)
  • Uncategorized (6)
  • Vlog (6)
  • West (71)
    • Arizona (23)
    • Colorado (6)
    • Idaho (4)
    • Kansas (2)
    • Montana (5)
    • Nebraska (2)
    • Nevada (6)
    • New Mexico (3)
    • North Dakota (2)
    • Oklahoma (1)
    • South Dakota (6)
    • Texas (1)
    • Utah (11)

Recent Comments

  • Steve Johnson on Setting Up a 4G LTE Antenna in our RV
  • David Johnson on Setting Up a 4G LTE Antenna in our RV
  • Cori Mills on Free RV Boondocking in Idaho – Shoshone Falls Road
  • Teresa on Sheep Bridge Road, Utah – Free RV Boondocking
  • LARRY PUTNAM on California Highway 25 (Airline Highway)
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us

Social Media

  • Connect on Facebook
  • Connect on Instagram
  • Connect on RSS
  • Connect on YouTube
© Copyright 2014. Theme by BloomPixel.