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Tucson |
My first and only time to visit Tucson
happened about 17 years ago. Mikie, a long-time friend, resides in the desert
city and spent three days playing tour guide for the hubby and me. He took us to Sabino
Canyon, across the border into Nogales,
Mexico and introduced me
to the ‘used bookstore’. I could have spent the whole day in that store, but
with my arms full, an hour sufficed. I fell in love with Tucson
and the surrounding area that long weekend. The mountains and desert are
beautiful, but what really caught my eye was the San Xavier del Bac Mission.
San Xavier del Bac Mission
is a Catholic mission located south of Tucson.
Father Eusebio Kino founded the mission in 1692 when Southern Arizona was a part of New Spain. Construction of the present day church began in 1783 after Franciscan
missionary Father Juan Bautista Velderran borrowed 7,000 pesos from a Sonoran
rancher. Ignacio Gaona was hired as the architect, and building was completed
in 1797. With the Mexican independence, the mission became part of Mexico in 1821 and then became
part of the United States in 1854 under the Gadsen
Purchase. San Xavier was part of the Santa Fe Diocese and later incorporated
into the Tucson Diocese when Tucson came into its own existence
in 1866.
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San Xavier del Bac Mission |
The
mission is constructed of low-fire clay brick, stone, and lime mortar and
roofed with masonry vaults. In 1887, an earthquake knocked down the mortuary
wall and damaged other areas of the church. Under the guidance of Bishop Henry
Granjon, repairs to the church began in 1905. Further restoration had to be
done after a lightning strike to the West Tower lantern in 1939.
While
the exterior of San Xavier is grand, the interior is stunning. Artwork and
sculptures adorn every available space, including the ceiling. After Father
Velderrain died, Father Juan Abutista Llorens continued Father Valderrain’s
work. He oversaw the painting of the murals and the commissioning of religious
sculptures in Old Mexico guild shops brought to the mission on donkeys. Not
much is known about the crafting of the building or the artists who painted the
murals, except the mission was built by the O’odham tribe and no less than
three artists painted the murals.
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Interior of San Xavier |
Today, San Xavier is a National
Historical Landmark and also known as The White Dove of the Desert. Thousands of people visit
the tranquil grounds each year to learn about its history. The Franciscan
Sisters of Christian Charity live in the convent and teach at the school opened
by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1872. Worship services are held
on a regular basis.
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Exterior of San Xavier |
1 comment:
Julie, lovely post and a mission I've not yet visited. I'll remedy that next time we're in Arizona.
By the way, you need to put your name at the top of the article, either in a banner or just By Julie Lence so it shows up in the tweets and for the archives.
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