The Mission San Xavier just Southwest of Tucson, Arizona was originally founded in 1692 by Father Kino, a Jesuit Priest. Construction on the current structure (pictured above) was started in 1783 by a Franciscan Priest, Father Velderrain and went on for 14 years until there was no longer money to continue. While the master-craftsmen working on the project had to be  discharged, the parishioners continued to work on the structure themselves salvaging materials from the original mission churches near the site. Notice the top of the East Tower just to the right of the main entrance. While there are many legends explaining why the tower does not have a top (cyclone, worker falling to his death, etc.) the fact is that after the craftsmen were let go, the local parishioners lacked the skills needed for the more complex parts of the project; the whole church remains unfinished. There are even some murals inside the sanctuary that were drawn but never painted.

San Xavier remains true to it’s original mission of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners. The parish priest holds a mass daily with 3 services on Sunday. The Mission is the oldest, intact European structure in the state of Arizona. The sanctuary’s interior is filled with 18th century statues and mural paintings. 

The interior of the church forms a cross (European classic cruciform) with a main sanctuary as well as East and West Transepts (chapels). The East Transept contains a baptismal font while the West Transept contains what appears to be a mummified body. It is not. Back in 1849, Apache raids forced parishioners of Tumacacori Mission near Nogales to move to the better-protected San Xavier Mission. They brought with them a statue of the crucified Christ (minus his legs which were lost in transport). In the 1890s the statue was displayed in the West Transept as the entombed Christ. During World War I, the statue was modified to resemble St. Francis Xavier and placed in a glass case. Many people over the years claim that their prayers here have been answered through the intersession of Saint Francis. Believers come to the statue daily with needs, requests and thanks for their answered prayers. 

After visiting the Mission and purchasing several items at the gift shop it was time for lunch. Native American vendors had small booths set up nearby that sold mostly food and some handmade jewelry. It seems like everyone offered some sort of Fry Bread lunch special. Touring buddies Roy and Pam Wright had been here before and guided my wife, DiAnne and me to the booth operated by the Havier Family. 

 When you’re visiting the Tucson area be certain to stop at Mission San Xavier and be prepared to be transported to another era. The construction of this mission occurred during a time when this piece of North America was a part of Spanish-ruled Mexico. There is no charge for the tour but donations are appreciated. Sales at the gift store help benefit the mission. Church hours and Mass schedule can be found at www.sanxaviermission.org.