Visit to a Mission

The San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson.

It was founded by Father Kino in 1692. The present church was built from 1783 - 1797.

A roadrunner was walking, yes, walking in the parking lot at the mission. He posed for me so I could get a couple of pictures.

This is a picture of the San Xavier del Bac Mission from March 2009. Last spring, some exterior work was happening on the west side of the mission church. See the scaffolding?

The scaffolding is gone on this picture from our visit on Tuesday. Kari was so intrigued by my photos from last year she requested a trip to the mission during her visit this time.

Restoration continues at the mission. I read the first to be restored was the inside of the church. (Those photos tomorrow.) Work continues in other parts of the mission complex which were closed off to visitors. As you can see on the photo, the bell tower also needs repair along the roof line.

From the earliest times, the Tohono O'odham settlement in which the Mission is located was called Bac, "place where the water appears," because the Santa Cruz River, which ran underground for some distance, reappears on the surface nearby.

You can see the different shades of white paint on the exterior of the mission walls-new paint versus old. You may also notice the one tower was not capped. No one seems to know why that is. The domed section to the rear covers the high altar. Those pictures will appear tomorrow.

The white mission really does stand out as one is driving along Interstate 19 south of Tucson.

"Framed in the warm browns of the surrounding hills and the violet shadows of more distant mountains, it rises, brilliantly white from the desert floor of dusty green mesquite and sage. The imposing dome and lofty towers, the rounded parapets and graceful spires etched against the vivid blue complete a skyline with a graceful enchantment."