U. S. Mission Trail - Arizona Mission San Xavier del Bac

U. S. Mission Trail / The Mission Trail Today - The Spanish Missions in Arizona

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San Xavier del Bac.
Founded XXXX
by XXXX
XXXX

Personal Observations

Mission Art & Photo-Art

History

"White Dove of the Desert" for its brilliant white color,
Southern Arizona into Northern Mexico. The Spanish called this stretch of desert and mountains the Pimeria Alta.
Jesuit missionary-explorer, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, founded these Spanish missions during his travels in the region, from 1683 to 1711,
Father Kino arrived in the Tohono O�odham village of Wa:k (�Bac�), which is one of the largest, continuously inhabited settlements in the Americas, in 1692.
nearby Santa Cruz River
Kino founded a mission at Wa:k and began building a church in 1700.
growing corn, squash and beans
However, he died in 1711, leaving only the church foundation complete.
After the Jesuits were expelled from New Spain in 1767, the Franciscans took over responsibility of the missions.
began construction of the present church in 1783.
San Xavier Mission is considered to be the finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States. Spanish, Moorish and Mexican Baroque design. adobe block coated with a plaster of lime, local sand and cactus juice.
two bell towers, only one tower was completed. Why it was not finished remains a mystery
close to 300 painted or sculpted angels, more than 100 images of saints and over a dozen representations of Santa Maria, mother of Christ.
San Xavier Mission is still a fully functioning parish church and is still administered by the Franciscan friars.

Address and Directions

Photography Gallery

Front.

Church interior.

Santa Ysabel Asistencia Main Page	Grounds	Church
Original Site	Exhibits	Cemetery

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