San Xavier del Bac Mission

This well-preserved/restored mission is worth the short drive from Tucson. The sanctuary is surprisingly ornate for a mission church. We were impressed with the carved and painted wood in the apse and rear of the nave, the pulpit where the nave intercepts the transept, and the cross inset into the thick wall in the right transept. The mission must have been prosperous back in the day. The facade was being restored when we visited, but the scaffolding won’t be there forever. Don’t miss the cactus garden and chapel — with its resident prairie dogs— outside the main structure, on the left side. There is also a small museum and gift shop. To the right of the mission is a hill, a short hike to the top of which yields a nice view of the mission. Across the parking lot is a small village with a few shops, vendors, and a tiny restaurant. YouTube’s Chef’s Apprentice

Hadn't visited in about 20 years. The ongoing restoration will continue for the elaborate portico/entrance through 2026. The work does not restrict access to the sanctuary. It was enjoyable to see the progress. We also enjoyed the Plaza Market.

This stunning historic mission is a must-see! The white stucco exterior against the desert backdrop is breathtaking, and the detailed interior is just as impressive. It’s peaceful, full of history, and still an active place of worship. Whether you’re into architecture, history, or just looking for a quiet spot to explore, this place is worth the visit. Don’t forget to check out the views from the hill nearby!

A beautiful, inspiring church in the desert. They are redoing the facade but have a screen with a picture of the facade covering the scaffolding so you could still take a nice photo. It is an active church, and I was impressed with the respect most visitors showed. We enjoyed a frybread lunch cooked outdoors in front of the mission.

Nice spot to stop by when you’re in Tucson. Plenty of parking. The church grounds is not that big. Unique architecture inside. They have a small gift store. You’ll see road runner symbols every where. It’s their desert bird but we didn’t see any in person. Be sure to stop by the plaza at the opposite end of the church. Restrooms can be found at the church or plaza. Everything is free. Be sure to donate. There’s also a docent tour. Check the hours before you come in case it’s during mass.

Beautiful detailed Spanish-European mission. It had such a peaceful tone and was actually breathtaking. From the intricate carvings to stained glass windows, beautiful carvings of the nativity scene, it was quite lovely.

Beautiful active parish church with lots of history and amazing art located on the reservation. Guided tours are recommended and donation based. May God continue to bless this community.

This is a beautiful church in an isolated area that belongs to the natives. It had interesting architecture and history. Please visit and enjoy the experience. Be respectful and thankful to the local people for sharing their heritage, religion and culture. They were playing Bach's Chacone in Dminor, one of my favorites baroque music when I was there. Listening to this in a beautiful church like this was a wonderful, heart-touching experience.

Definitely a place everyone nearby or on a trip to Tucson should see. It is stunning and historical. You do not need to be religious to go here. It is so peaceful and beautiful. The grounds are just so lovey and the mission is a joy to experience. Years back i took my bestie here. She lives back east. We went all over the state to all the AZ major grandeurs and glories. She remembers this place best and still talks about it decades later. That says a lot, doesn't it? There are tons of photos online that one can image but nothing like seeing it in person. Detour your road trip and have a visit.

Nice spot to stop by when you're in Tucson. Plenty of parking. The church grounds is not that big. Unique architecture inside. They have a small gift store. You'll see road runner symbols every where. It's their desert bird but we didn't see any in person. Be sure to stop by the plaza at the opposite end of the church. Restrooms can be found at the church or plaza. Everything is free. Be sure to donate. There's also a docent tour. Check the church hours before you come in case it's during mass.

This is a must-visit place in Tucson area (on a nice and sunny day). From the distance, you can see the Mission building, which stands brilliantly white among the sea of beige desert landscape. It's a visually striking building up close, but even better in pictures against a clear blue sky and bright Tucson sun. We went pretty early on in the day but missed the docent tour by a hair and could not wait for the next batch. However, everyone there was very friendly and between all the signs and their additional explanation, you could get a good tour of the whole Mission building. There's a good mixture of the religious/spiritual significance of the building, the complex history of the native people and the European Catholic priests, the archeological richness of the site, and the scientific charms of the original and restorative processes of the building sprinkled throughout the area. There's even a little hill to climb if you wanted a bit more physical element! All this experience is free. There are some donation bins located throughout the site, and the Mission sells candles and has a gift shop that sells little souvenirs, but never do they push you to donate or buy. You could spend an hour just exploring this little Mission building. I'm so glad we detoured here on a lovely sunny day.

Wow, this mission is BEAU-TEE-FUL! Some major renovations were just completed to the exterior, and it is the most elaborate and unique mission I've ever seen. Free admission. They have a small museum and offer some guided tours as well. A small gift shop is located in the main building and there's a fry bread place across the way.

Beautiful very pretty As a Native American it's sometimes had to go to these kinda places with the history I was traveling through and stopped to see the beautiful places It's stunning against the blue sky big white building There were lots of vendors unfortunately I had no cash so couldn't try anything it all smelled amazing We got there at the time church was in process so couldn't really look inside to see much But throughout it was very nice clean there doing some work on the outside definitely gets crowded I'm glad I made the stop

San Xavier makes for a fine hour or so detour from whatever else you had planned for the day. - The inside is full of interesting religious decorations. - The building itself is maybe less interesting in that it seems much like every other mission in the southwest. - Great cactus gardens. - Take a walk up Grotto Hill. There's not much to see on the hill itself but it's a nice walk. All in all, OK. I admit my rating is negatively influenced by the history of Spanish missionaries. Not a group of people I like to celebrate.

The San Xavier Del Bac Mission is probably the nicest old Spanish style mission I've visited since visiting San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It's located a bit south of Tucson, but can be reached easily from the downtown core within about 15-20 minutes, or 45 minutes from northern parts of Tucson. The mission doesn't cost anything to visit, but there is a gift shop off to the side as well as a lot set up with Native American vendors, should you wish to purchase anything. Although I didn't partake in it, there are docent-led tours of the mission to give you a more historical background of the site. The place is popular and gets quite a few visitors, but never seemed too busy. It was very peaceful roaming around the grounds and exploring. I highly recommend putting the San Xavier Del Bac on the list of places to visit while in Tucson.

Mission San Xavier del Bac 6-3-2023 I had looked the mission up for a stop on our way through Tucson. The website said it would be closed Saturdays and Sundays. I thought we could at least look at the outside. I was thrilled when it was open on Saturday and we were able to tour the inside and the grounds of the mission! This beautiful mission was founded in 1692, though construction of the current church started in 1783, a full 91 years later! After 14 years of work the building stopped due to a lack of funds. It is located in the San Xavier District of the Tonoho O'odham Nation. It's often called the "Sistine Chapel of North America". The adobe church, representing a wonderful example of Spanish colonial architecture, is beautiful inside and out, with colorful frescoes, sculptures and carvings. Such a peaceful treasure right off of the highway. Plenty of free parking. Entry is free and photography is not permitted during services. There is some exterior renovation at the moment but is still worth a look if you are in the area. There are also free and clean bathrooms and a small gift shop.

This a great stop if you're in Tucson. It won't take you more than 30 min to explore. The church is beautiful. We were able to go into the church to look around. Men are asked to take their hat off. The gift shot attached to the church has some cute items. Outside of the church, you can buy fried bread. It's cash only. Don't get the plain. Get the cheese or bean and cheese. We saw a roadrunner while there. The couple selling the fried bread said the roadrunner likes to hang out there. We did have a dog with us and were allowed in the church and gift shop with her.

We came here while having a stay-cation in nearby Tucson and it was a perfect sunny day for slight seeing. The grounds and church are beautifully well maintained and recently had a face lift. The mission was founded in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Kino, a Jesuit and named for Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus. It is located on the Tohono O'odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation. The current San Xavier del bac Mission was built over two hundred years ago by Franciscans. Fr Kino thought it was an ideal site for a mission, due to it's proximity to the large ranches along the Santa Cruz River. The most impressive part is the Mission itself. It has lots of Icons and many impressive statues. Many Christians come here to pray and ask for forgiveness, or indulgences for their departed loved ones. There are no formal tours per se, but the grounds and Mission Church has signage posted throughout. Candles can be lit for a small honorarium. And yes, there is a Gift Shop.

I will be honest, my friends and I arrived late to visit inside. It closes 5 pm , but I knew they restored the CB mission and it is must go visit. I will back to see. Tell me in front of the place isn't incredible beautiful? One the first missions in the USA. It is worth the visit.

The historic church building is so beautiful. It sits stark white against the deep blue of the skies. While the museum is still closed, the chapel, mausoleum, and gift shop are open. You can spend as long as you want here. There were quite a few people sitting the pews sitting rapt at the beautiful inside. I didn't feel comfortable taking photos inside, although you are certainly welcome to. Note that this church still holds services and so you're not allowed in while they're being held, although you can still explore the outside and the grounds. The gift shop sells candles if you want to light one at the church. There's bathrooms available, and a large dirt parking lot for you to park in.

We took a weekend trip to @cityoftucson Arizona and our first stop was the Mission. Being California natives, we enjoy the history and architecture and try to visit most missions throughout the west. What a stunning impression this mission makes while driving south on the highway. Its stark white plaster is juxtaposed against the red rock and blue sky. Definitely a trip worth making and it is also free to enter the grounds. The plaque in the inner courtyard states: "Mission San Xavier del Bac was founded by Father Eusebio Kino as a Catholic mission in 1692. This Baroque architecture style building is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Construction began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The "White Dove" has served the religious needs of its parishioners for over 300 years." -Glydie Ann Nelson, State President National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century NOVEMBER 15, 2012 The heat can be quite intense during these summer months. There are restrooms available and the gift shop is air conditioned. All around a five-star experience.

y5* San Xavier del Bac (aka the White Dove) 8 miles south of Tuscon On Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation Beautiful Catholic mission founded by Father Kino The place exudes spirituality The parishioners are very friendly and devoted The interior of the church is awesome Every third Sunday have Native market. The fry bread tacos are awesome A MUST VISIT

Is there anything I can say that hasn't already been said about this beautifully-designed, historical place? The best I can say is it's amazing. I had not been back since a little field trip I took to this mission when I was a second grader at Immaculate Heart. My 8 year old mind didn't appreciate it then. At 26, wow! In my opinion, it could take several days to take in all the details... it's that exquisite. A great part is it costs practically nothing to visit, and it's a must see. While you're there, there's a gift shop, and a little shopping plaza that sells various native handicrafts and jewelry, and you can get a nice bite to eat as well. You can bet I'll be back! Maybe next time I'll go to mass.

this was the first place I came to visit after coming out this way & I'm happy I did. from the statues to the paintings it all was very beautiful. I seen my first road runner & a couple wild prairie dogs too. would definitely recommend a vist.

Beautiful mission to visit. The artwork is incredible and they do a nice job maintaining this historic church. Definitely a must see if you're in the Tucson area.

Beautiful church with a lot of history! It was nice and peaceful walking the grounds then grabbing some fry bread from the vendors by the parking lot. It was a good day.

Beautiful church! Arrived at 9 this morning (Saturday) to beat the heat and mass was taking place so we couldn't go inside the church. A little disappointing as the website doesn't say there's mass Saturday at 9. They should really update that. We checked out the gift shop and got some DELICIOUS fry bread. Short drive from Tucson and worth the trip.

This beautiful National Historic Landmark rises out of the desert and can be seen for miles around. Can you just imagine the wonder and amazement of an early settler who happened upon it in the earliest days of its conception? It must have seemed like an oasis. Founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692, construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. With beautiful, intricate architectural details, this mission rivals many basilicas I've seen in Europe. I'm amazed at the expert craftsmanship and wonder where the materials came from in such a desolate place. Entrance is free, but right now wearing a mask is required. I'm not a big fan of mask wearing, but it was 100% worth it to me to see this historical treasure. I highly recommend a stop in this beautiful gem!

If you are a fan of religious or Spanish style architecture, religious art, or enjoy visiting missions this is a unique spot on The Rez. There is currently a lot of construction/renovation going on with the exterior so it wasn't as picturesque but it was still an interesting little peek into one of the oldest historical buildings in Arizona. There were two people, either staff or volunteers, standing right outside the entrance available to answer questions and to make sure proper Covid protocol was being followed. Masks are required to enter. Most of the mission was roped off but I was still able to see all the religious art OK. Parking is readily available on the large dirt lot in front of the mission. There is a gift shop and restaurant but it was closed when we were here because it was a holiday (Thanksgiving).

What a beautiful places, it is under restoration (much needed major repairs - scaffolding too) this is distracting but it is still majestic and awesome. It closes at 4pm, and is lit up at night, though we didn't see it in the evening. During holidays there are events, we'd like to come at Easter when there is a procession up the hill to the cross. This beautiful serene place needs repairs and is gladly accepting donations if you feel so inclined. It is a treasure and a lovely remembrance of old Tucson and it's roots.

Historic old mission and church about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson. They refer to it at the white dove of the desert. Definitely worth a trip to explore if you are nearby or if you are into old missions. There is plenty of history. The grounds are not huge at all, and you can quickly walk thru everything in under 30 minutes including the church, the candle area, the gift shop, etc. This was my 2nd time going, and this time there was hardly anyone when I arrived, only 2 other cars, so there was plenty of parking. The last time it was more crowded but still parking available. The mission is under construction and the sign said closed, but it was actually open. The church is nice but much of it is blocked off so you can't get up close to the paintings, etc. There is grotto hill right next door, which is not part of the church property, and is closed to visitors.

If you're on your way from Tucson to points south, San Xavier del Bac is a worthy stop within easy reach of the highway. Renovations are still underway both inside an out, but the façade is clearly being restored with great care, giving it a gleam worthy of the nickname "the White Dove of the Desert."

I was here yesterday showing the mission to an out-of-town visitor. The building is stunning. Unfortunately, the museum was closed. The church, however, was open, and my friend and I enjoyed our visit. The church isn't air conditioned, but with electric fans blowing, it was fairly cool inside. We also enjoyed trying the popovers on sale outside.

The White Dove of the Desert, San Xavier del Bac Mission is Arizona's oldest Catholic Church, dating back to the late 1700's. It's truly a sight to behold, especially on a clear day with vibrant blue skies as the backdrop for the stark white structure rising up out of the desert. Take your time to walk around the grounds, go inside the church & see its beauty, explore the tiny chapel alongside the church & enjoy a delicious fry bread cooked outside the church by the Tohono O'odham Nation - just be sure if you order a sweet fry bread with honey, have them cover it tightly and immediately run to your car! We were deluged by a swarm of bees & ultimately had to drop the bread & get safely to our car! Thankfully none of us were stung! Next time, we'll try the cheese fry bread!

Stunning. This internet-famous church is located inside the San Xavier Indian Reservation, so masks are mandatory on church grounds. Regardless, it's stunning- Spanish architecture meets Roman art here, and it really is reminiscent of a lot of the Catholic Churches in the Philippines. Take your time here and be respectful of the church and its grounds- it's an experience!

Our visit to San Xavier Del Bac was very disappointing and disheartening. Our trip was thoroughly planned in advance. We were visiting from out of town on a normal Saturday (we specifically planned our trip so that it did not coincide with any religious holidays or scheduled events, and we verified all visitor information from their website prior to our visit). First, we learned the hours on the website are incorrect (the church currently opens at 9am, not 7am). Then when we arrived there was a mass in service with signs indicating the church was closed to visitors so we visited the Mausoleum and offered prayer while we waited for mass to conclude. According to their website, the church is supposed to be "accessible during normal services." Let me preface this next part by saying there were only adults in our group. We understand the importance and reverence of visiting holy places. When mass concluded (we clearly heard the priest announce the conclusion of mass and attendants had exited the church), we entered the church and found seats in the back pews. We intentionally chose to sit in the back of the church and remained respectful and quiet while there. However, we were promptly told to leave by a very rude woman who works for the church. She informed us that they were holding private masses only and that we were unwelcome in the church. When we inquired about when we might be able to enter the church, we were told "I don't have an exact time for you, but you'll be waiting outside for a long while so my suggestion is you leave and maybe come back another day." I explained we were visiting from out of town and we were unable to return on another day. She then informed me that private mass could only be attended by parish members and open mass (which she was unable to provide information about regarding dates or times) was only open to people who are Catholic. She made sure to tell me three separate times, while giving very judgmental looks, that I was absolutely not allowed in the church during any ceremony or mass unless I was Catholic. For a Mission that makes the majority of their money from tourism, which allows them to remain operational, do extensive renovation projects, and serve their parishioners (but apparently nobody else from the community, and especially anyone who is not Catholic), on the day we visited this church they exemplified hypocrisy. There is literally a famous Catholic hymn entitled "All are welcome" but from our experience this Church operates more like an exclusive, members-only club. The second star was given on this review because of the positive experiences we had with the mausoleum and grotto hill (they didn't really make the trip worth it in and of itself, but definitely salvaged it).

Beautiful church worth checking out if you're in the Tucson area. San Xavier Del Bac Mission is a historic church and mission, which dates back to the 1700's. I recommend visiting for anyone who enjoys history and architecture. San Xavier Del Bac Mission is a great side trip outside of the Tucson city center, and is easy to find since it's off the highway. In fact, this was our last trip before heading home, as it's south towards the airport. When we visited during the pandemic, they did allow the public to walk inside the church, but they've blocked off where you can go by the pews. They also do not have mass at this time. As far as the grounds, there was actually not much to see from what I anticipated, having gone to another mission during our Tucson trip, which was significantly larger. Still, you can see a small cacti garden, gift shop and a place to burn a candle. Plenty of parking and restrooms were open. Other than that, you'll spend an hour at most here. It's a beautiful site and can see why they call this the White Dove of the Desert.

This church is easy to find and has plentiful parking. Masks are not required (October 2022). It is a beautiful architectural church that dates back to 1700s. The inside is absolutely breathtaking.

Founded in 1692 this is an impressive mission and definitely a place to see if you're ever in southern Arizona.

Wonderful, historic place to visit when in the southwest. Need to go again soon to refresh my memory.

Beautiful all around! Turns out this is the oldest European structure in Arizona. They've been working on it off/on since the late 17th century. Totally worth a visit. Check their web site for up-to-date hours and events.

This was by far one of the coolest things we got to see while in Tucson. I had seen pictures of this beautiful church floating around everywhere, so I figured I had to make a stop here. During my visit in November 2021, about two thirds of the building was covered up for renovation, so just know that if you're visiting soon. I was super sad to not get good pics of the church, but it looks like it will look even better once it's finished! I am not religious but visiting this church was stunning just to look at! The Spanish architecture, the tall ceilings inside, and hundreds of candles lit all around. This is a prime spot to check out when in Tucson!

San Xavier Del Bac Mission is by itself, surrounded by reservation land. It is easy to find and an exit right off the interstate. I was there is the morning and there were not many visitors, but, the parking lot has space for buses. The structure itself is smaller than I expected. They still require masks inside (May 2022) and ask for cellphones to be off and keep voices to a whisper. It is not just a historic site, but also a functioning Mission. I meandered around the grounds and it seems every little corner had something spiritual. The courtyard was especially nice and I could have imagined sitting there and reflecting a few moments. Upon exiting, across the parking lot, are the shops where you can purchase a crucifix or memento of the visit. You can also purchase silver jewelry, or white sage for smudging or a Native American blanket. I liked they had pepper hanging to dry. It was both decorative and functional. Happy I visited San Xavier Del Bac Mission.

1/14/22 Cut and Paste from website: "A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space." Timeline 1692 Father Kino visits the village of Wa:k 1700 Father Kino begins foundations on a church never built 1711 Father Kino dies in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico 1756 Father Espinosa constructs the 1st church 1767 Jesuits are expelled from New Spain 1768 Spanish Franciscans take over the Mission 1783 Construction begins on the present church 1797 The Mission church is completed 1821 Spanish Franciscans leave 1846 Cooke's Mormon battalion passes by the Mission 1854 Gadsden Purchase puts the Mission inside the United States 1859 Santa Fe diocese begins first repairs of the Mission 1887 Earthquake damages the Mission 1905 Bishop Granjon begins major repairs 1913 Franciscans return to the Mission 1939 Lightning strikes the West Tower 1953 Church facade is restored 1963 San Xavier becomes a National Historic Landmark 1978 Patronato San Xavier established to preserve the Mission 1989 Leaking walls force emergency restoration 1992 Conservators begin a 5-year rescue effort of the interior Today the restoration continues when funds are available." Quality/Quantity - Good tourist location with many historical benefits. Love the off-leash friendly free-roaming dogs at the San Xavier Plaza. Discovered popovers here, but it was too early to eat lunch here. We later discovered Maria's Fry Bread in Phoenix, please see that 5 star Yelp review also. Atmosphere - Cool architecture both at the Mission and Plaza. Plenty of parking, mostly gravel. Good thing we had 4-wheel drive. Clean bathrooms at both places - Keep in mind the plumbing is historic, so please treat it as such. Plaza - Outdoor picnic area with free sunscreen. Indoor/outdoor souvenir shopping. Cool art throughout. Kitchen/cafe "open" - But did not seem staffed. Lots of sage. White Sage is considered one of the most sacred plants in the Native American tradition. Mission hours: 9am to 4pm Under construction but still open to the public. Please remember you are in a place of prayer, be respectful. Historical. Overall, a small, but beautiful space. They also had a small picnic area in the courtyard Small gift shop. Open market - Only 2 vendors today, both selling popovers and other food items. Service - Self-service. Self tour. Price - FREE!! Please donate or buy. Owner Suggestion Thanks for keeping this historical mission open to the public.

I have taken visitors here several times since we moved here. It is truly a fascinating place to visit. It was a little disappointing this time because so much was closed, whether due to covid or construction issues, I'm not sure. We were able to walk into the back of the church, and could see a little. I look forward to everything being open and having docent-led tours again. There were a couple of stands offering fry bread outside by the parking lot. That is always a delicious treat. This is a treasure for our community and I highly recommend visiting. Just be sure to call beforehand to make sure areas are open.

Visited mom for the day and took her to San Xavier even though she's been here before she still appreciates the beauty of the mission. If your passing through Tucson this is a must see. I'm catholic but you don't have to be to appreciate the architecture. They have a museum, gift shop, and a larger gift shop with pretty jewelry and nice souvenirs.

Such a beautiful church. They let you walk inside. Original building was made in 1692. The inside is all original. When Covid is over they will continue Mass

Beautiful old world Spanish architecture...This is truly a piece of art history & a national treasure..The church inside, is as if you were transported back to the late 1600 Spain. If your ever in Tucson & have a few hours to make the drive & see this marvelous edifice...I highly recommend you do... It's a 6 out of 5 stars...

Tucson's history is rich and layered, and we are so lucky that the mission at San Xavier still stands today. Founded in 1692, it's remarkable that the structure is still around, and that it's still an operational church. I've been here many times, usually taking out of town visitors to marvel at this spot. The tours are very informative and interesting; definitely do one of you can. If you can't, just walking around the property is cool too. There's a small museum inside with informational displays, a video, and a mini recreation of the mission. Very cool. Also, be sure to check out the gift shop. If you get hungry, grab some fry bread or an Indian taco from one of the vendors outside. I recently got a bean and cheese fry bread and it was sooo good! Some of the best fry bread I've ever had! Overall, this is a Tucson gem not to be missed. Fascinating history of the Spanish colonizers and the Tohono O'odham.

What a beautiful piece of history just south of Tucson! Closed do to Covid so unable to see the inside. But still worth a visit! The grounds are impeccable! Just amazing history. Only a short detour off the freeway. Tons of parking. A couple little gift shops and a nice restroom. Don't miss!

Stunning architecture and history dating back to late 1700's. Since my recent move to Scottsdale I have been wanting to visit this site. I drove in late January from Scottsdale to Tuscon (approx 2 hour drive). When I arrived I found out that the church was not currently open due to covid (to be opening back up approx February 4th). I was not disappointed and was still glad that I made the trek to marvel at the church exterior in all its glory. A Thursday early afternoon was a great time to visit to ensure limited crowds. I can't wait to return to see and experience the splendor of the interior.

Beautiful old mission, grounds full of beautiful cacti. I stop by here everytime I'm in town. You can buy votives for $4 to light inside the church. The altar is blocked off at the end of the pews, so you can't get up close to the altar. So beautiful, inside and out. There's a nice gift shop there as well.

650th review... Easily 5 stars. Tucson is quite proud of its history and this church has landmark status. The current structure began construction in 1783 by a Franciscan priest. The church has a Moroccan feel to it with lots of "balances" one to mention is the doorway painted on the right side of the church to match the actual door on the left. There are hundreds of angels painted throughout the building. Also on the left side of the church there is a life size statue of Saint Francis lying in repose. It is said that only the pure of heart can lift his head. There are hourly tours offered up to 12:00 PM. Ours was by a 5th generation parishioner and lasted about 45 minutes. Found this to be very helpful and informative. Renovation work to restore this church is done on a daily basis and painstakingly so. Also of some note, off to the right before walking in are stalls set up by native Americans selling fry breads and wares.

Amazing historical landmark. Unfortunately under construction. Was not able to go on tour. Worth to come back again. Great food vendors in plaza . Be patient with parking.

Absolutely beautiful piece of history worth seeing even if it's closed. Check business hours this is a functioning place of worship & they invite you to attend a mass.

San Xavier was a great stop on the way back to Tucson after the Titan Missile Museum. It's free and worth visiting to appreciate the history, set, architecture and the chance to maybe say a prayer for peace. The church itself is a little smaller than it might appear from outside,but richly decorated with frescos, statues and carvings from the 1700's. It's beautiful and peaceful here without question. If you're interested, there are regular guided tours that give a more in depth look at the local history and the decorations. Aside from the main church, you can explore the small museum (don't miss the monstrance and communion plates made from traditional woven materials), watch a video and stop in the chapel to light a candle and pray for an intention. There's also a gift shop with locally made crafts at reasonable prices. Everyone working here was kind and friendly. In the parking area, there is a space for locals to sell delicious food (cinnamon sugar frybread!!) and local crafts. Definitely check that out and consider a purchase.

We were on a day trip in Tucson and this was stop #1 for us! San Xavier Del Bac Mission is beautiful. The architecture and history is all really evident, some of the Church has been restored. For anyone interested in learning more, they have short tours and many items to review on the museum side. The location itself is also quite serene and undisturbed in a way. They have shops just a small distance away and people selling frybread in the parking lot. Darn diet, I wasn't able to try any! But all kidding aside, we will definitely come back here in the future ... to enjoy the Church again (and get some frybread).