Yuma on Saturday

Traditionally, Saturday of the SWAG weekend is the Discovery Series, chasing 20 geocaches in unknown locations in the Yuma area along with a couple hundred other geocachers.

The three of us completed the chase by noon and got our geocoin as a reward. Then it was off to find interesting churches in Yuma. This was by far the best Adventure Lab for me as we got to see two mission churches.

It was dedicated in 1923, and its design replicates the Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción, which once stood on the site.

This church sits a top a hill overlooking old town Yuma and the Colorado River at the entrance to the Quechuan Reservation.

Construction began on the Purism Concepcíon Mission in the fall of 1780 by Father Juan Antonio Barreneche and Francis Tomás Hermenogildo Garcés. 

entry doors

Poorly defended the mission was destroyed the following year during a raid and massacre July 1781 by Quechuan's (Yuma) frustrated by their treatment at the hands of the Spanish colonists.

 

stained glass window from outside

Fathers Garcés and Barreneche were beaten to death with clubs in the raid. Over 100 Spanish settlers were killed and 74 more were held as prisoners until Governor Pedro Fages paid a ransom for their release in 1782.

statue of Padré Garcia

buildings replicated from Fort Yuma

bell town of St. Thomas Church

vestibule of St. Thomas, a recent addition to the building

altar area 

It was an unexpected treat to be able to enter the church as parishioners were preparing for Saturday evening mass.

The St. Thomas Church sitting on the hill just north of Yuma has teased me for years. Because of the Adventure Lab/geocaching I finally got to explore it.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission

the mission church was founded in 1866

the doors were locked

I can't find any history on this mission

We visited 10 Yuma area churches. These two were my favorite.

Each evening we played a couple of games of Farkle. I won the most games.