Tucson, AZ
The approach to San Xavier Mission approximately 9 miles south of Tucson. The official name is San Xavier Mission del Bac; "del Bac" was Father Eusabio Francisco Kino's description of the Indian village, Wa:k, near which he sited the mission. Another translation of "del Bac" is that it means "of the water." There once was a spring in the area.
In case you're wondering why the tower on the right was not completed, allegedly the church would escape taxation if it was not complete -- but that is labeled a legend in one of the links below.
A somewhat closer view of the facade of the Mission -- without vehicular clutter.
A shot of the mission from the southwest.
The darker color for part of the mission's facade is likely due to the use of mud plaster. Apparently prickly pear cactus pulp is mixed with that mud to provide a plaster which sheds water more effectively but which requires more inspections and maintenance.
A National Park Service plaque indicating that San Xavier Mission del Bac is, as of 1963, a registered National Historic Landmark. [Click 1 or 2 times to enlarge; if instead you get a string of photos across the bottom of a new window, as I do, please send me an e-mail.]
A plaque with the specifics on the founding of Mission San Xavier: Founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692 (on a different site 2-3 miles from the present location). By way of comparison, the first Spanish mission in California was in 1769 at San Diego.
While most California missions have various types of flowers, ferns, or shrubs, Mission San Xavier has what grows well in this area: cacti.
A sign beyond the gate noted that the cross on top of the hill was not on church property. Some young fellow was hanging onto the left side of the cross and leaning to the right of it. [Fortunately I took this photo before he stationed himself in front of it.]
Once outside the gate I took this shot of the Catalina Mountains to the northeast; and, of course, primary among those peaks is one of my favorites: Mt. Lemmon.
One final look at Mission San Xavier -- with no vehicles in the parking lot. Note that, like all California missions which I've visited, the main doors of the church face south or west -- not north or east.
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The following six photos were taken on Th 1 Mar; the Mission was closed by the time I got there on Su 26 Feb after 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.
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Like most Catholic Churches San Xavier Mission is in the form of a cross when viewed from above; that is, as you approach the main altar directly ahead when you enter the church's doors, there will be shorter wings to the left and right.
This first photo is of the left wing.
Turning around I took this shot of the left wing (or arm of the cross).
A tall photo of the main altar as well as the ornate carvings and statuary above it.
Turning around again I took a photo of the Choir Loft. [My sister Jane, who sings in 2 Catholic Church choirs would do more than chide me if I skipped this shot. :-)>]
I walked halfway to the heavy front doors, turned, and captured this view of the front of the church. (In previous photos I shot over my fellow tourists.)
The arched overhead vault of Mission San Xavier del Bac.
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Links:
- Brief history of San Xavier Mission
- Wikipedia article on the San Xavier Mission
- Highly-rated site for the current & prospective patrons of San Xavier Mission
- See addition links on Spanish Missions in the SW & U.S. on the Wikipedia site above
Sa 25 Feb Actual Route: San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp - Tucson - San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp
Su 26 Feb Actual Route: San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp - Tucson - San Xavier Mission - San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp
M 27 Feb Actual Route: San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp - Tucson - San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp
T 28 Feb Actual Route: San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp - Tucson - San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp
W 29 Feb Actual Route: San Joaquin Rd/Old Ajo Hwy Dry-Camp - Tucson - Gilbert Ray [Pima] County CG
Th 1 Mar Actual Route: Gilbert Ray CG - Tucson - Green Valley Walmart
F 2 Mar Actual Route: Green Valley Walmart - Tumacacori Mission - Rio Rico - Nogales - Patagonia Lake State Park
Sa 3 Mar Actual Route: Patagonia Lake SP - Sonoita - Huachuca City - Sierra Vista - Quail Ridge RV Park
Su 4 Mar Actual Route: Quail Ridge RV Park - Huachuca City - Sierra Vista - Huachuca City - Corte del Rey RV Park
M 5 Mar Route: Corte del Rey RV Park - Sierra Vista - Bisbee - Douglas - Douglas Walmart
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Finding Campgrounds:
- RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
- Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
- Free campsites website
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