San Xavier Mission
(Mission San Xavier del Bac)
"White Dove of the Desert"
 The San Xavier Mission (Sahn Hah-vee-AIR) is perhaps Tucson's oldest building. In 1700, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino commissioned the building of a church, which was reportedly built by local Papago Indians. Interestingly, at this time, the territory of Tucson (although not yet named Tucson) was under the control of Spain.
The location of that building is actually about 2 miles north of the current mission and was reportedly destroyed by Apache Indians in about 1770.
The current Mission San Xavier del Bac (it's formal name) started being built in 1783, under direction of Fathers Juan Bautista Velderrain and Juan Bautista Llorenz. This mission, too, is said to have been built by the Papago Indians (now known as Tohoho O'odam Indians.)
The mission still holds Mass daily (see schedule) and is freely open to the public.
As you can imagine, a 225-year old building standing year after year in the desert sun will show effects of degradation eventually. The Mission has undergone face lifts in the past, but care is always taken to maintain the originality of the structure.
This video is a bit long, but it is very descriptive in showing
the refurbishing of the mission, including the secret
cactus pad recipe, and depicts the inside well,
even places you won't be able to go when you visit.
 What To Do When Visiting
The Mission Museum plays a video about the mission and there is a self-guided tour. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the intricacy of the interior walls and ceilings!
A gift shop is also available.
And since you're headed south out of Tucson to get to the Mission, you might want to make this the first stop on a larger day trip to Tubac or Nogales, Mexico since they're both further down the Interstate.
Getting There
From I-10 in Tucson, just head south on I-19 about 10 miles. The Mission will be on the right.
Map to the Misson
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