Mission San Xavier del Bac
Tucson AZ
85746
Who we are
Welcome to San Xavier Mission located in Wa:k village of the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation. This beautiful place was recognized as a US National Landmark in 1963.
Many people come to visit, to pray, to find a place of peace. A shrine church for many, it is still the parish church for the Native Americans of the area. As an active Catholic Church, services are regularly held and a small school is operated.
We have policies concerning weddings and baptisms that limit these to our Native American parishioners. We encourage others to receive these sacraments in their own local parish. However, everyone is welcome to participate in our Masses on Sunday or during the week.
If you are planning a trip to Arizona, please include a visit to this very special place.
God bless you and your loved ones,
Stephen Barnufsky, O.F.M. Pastor
Many people come to visit, to pray, to find a place of peace. A shrine church for many, it is still the parish church for the Native Americans of the area. As an active Catholic Church, services are regularly held and a small school is operated.
We have policies concerning weddings and baptisms that limit these to our Native American parishioners. We encourage others to receive these sacraments in their own local parish. However, everyone is welcome to participate in our Masses on Sunday or during the week.
If you are planning a trip to Arizona, please include a visit to this very special place.
God bless you and your loved ones,
Stephen Barnufsky, O.F.M. Pastor
Church Website
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Stephen Barnufsky, O.F.M.
Leader Position:
Pastor
Phone:
Fax:
520-294-3438
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Rev. Stephen Barnufsky, O.F.M.
Administration
Admin Name:
Maria "Cindy" DeBro
Admin Position:
Business Manager
Phone:
Fax:
520-294-3438
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Maria "Cindy" DeBro
Mission San Xavier del Bac Mass Times
Schedule of Mission San Xavier del Bac
Mission Church is open to the public: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
(The Mission church will be unavailable at certain times because of special services.)
Gift Shop Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Museum Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Mass Schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 pm
This 'summer'' Mass Schedule is until October 1st
Weekdays: Monday - Friday Mass: 6:30 am (in the Juan Diego Chapel)
It's been more than 4 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Mission Church is open to the public: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
(The Mission church will be unavailable at certain times because of special services.)
Gift Shop Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Museum Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Mass Schedule:
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 pm
Sunday: 7:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 pm
This 'summer'' Mass Schedule is until October 1st
Weekdays: Monday - Friday Mass: 6:30 am (in the Juan Diego Chapel)
It's been more than 4 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Other information
Additional Info:
Museum:
We have a museum at the Mission that explains more about our history with artifacts. The best way to start your experience is to begin with a 20 minute video which talks about the history of the Mission and its restoration. Then walk through the museum and look at the artifacts that give you a sense of the history and the way people lived here at the Mission. Our museum is free and open to the public, however there are some donation boxes which helps provide for its upkeep. The museums hours are: 8:00am - 4:30pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas,and Easter.
Gift shop:
We have a gift shop that has all kinds of ideas to commemorate your visit to Mission San Xavier. There is a wide array of items from t-shirts to authentic Tohono O'odham basket made right here on the reservation. On your next visit to the Mission please be sure to check it out. The gift shops hours are: 8:00am - 5:00pm daily (holiday hours may vary).
Candles:
Lighting a candle represents someone's intention/prayer to God when lit and left in the church. Candles can be purchased at both the gift shop and the museum foyer. We ask that only these candles be lit in the church as they are smokeless candles and will not harm the paintings, frescos, and statuary; the cost of a candle is $3.00 currently.
Donations:
Misison San Xavier is able to do its various ministries, be a place for visitors, pilgrimages, maintain the structure, pay salaries, subsidize the school, and more, because of the donations we receive from our visitors and parishioners. If you feel a special connection to Mission San Xavier and would like to make a donation there are several ways to do so.
If you would like to give to the Mission Church or San Xavier Mission School please send your check or money order to:
Mission San Xavier del Bac
c/o Pastor
1950 W. San Xavier Road
Tucson, AZ 85746-7409
Or use one of the many donation containers around the property.
If you wish to contribute to the restoration of the church building, you may contact the Patronato www.patronatosanxavier.org, a non-profit organization that raises money to continue the interior and exterior restoration of this landmark. See link on our front page.
Statement on Mission usage:
The Mission was created to serve the needs of the local community here, the village of Wa:k (San Xavier District) on the Tohono O'odham reservation, as it still does today. We have people from all over the country, and the world, wanting to have their special event here at the mission, and sometimes that can be accommodated, but the policy of the Mission staff is to only do Marriages, Baptisms, etc. for the local community. Everyone is welcome to attend masses, special celebrations (like feast days), etc., but it is our belief that one's sacramental life should be shared within a person's local parish community. We do not rent out the church.
We do not want the Mission to be used for advertising of commercial businesses or used as a set for movies.
We have a museum at the Mission that explains more about our history with artifacts. The best way to start your experience is to begin with a 20 minute video which talks about the history of the Mission and its restoration. Then walk through the museum and look at the artifacts that give you a sense of the history and the way people lived here at the Mission. Our museum is free and open to the public, however there are some donation boxes which helps provide for its upkeep. The museums hours are: 8:00am - 4:30pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas,and Easter.
Gift shop:
We have a gift shop that has all kinds of ideas to commemorate your visit to Mission San Xavier. There is a wide array of items from t-shirts to authentic Tohono O'odham basket made right here on the reservation. On your next visit to the Mission please be sure to check it out. The gift shops hours are: 8:00am - 5:00pm daily (holiday hours may vary).
Candles:
Lighting a candle represents someone's intention/prayer to God when lit and left in the church. Candles can be purchased at both the gift shop and the museum foyer. We ask that only these candles be lit in the church as they are smokeless candles and will not harm the paintings, frescos, and statuary; the cost of a candle is $3.00 currently.
Donations:
Misison San Xavier is able to do its various ministries, be a place for visitors, pilgrimages, maintain the structure, pay salaries, subsidize the school, and more, because of the donations we receive from our visitors and parishioners. If you feel a special connection to Mission San Xavier and would like to make a donation there are several ways to do so.
If you would like to give to the Mission Church or San Xavier Mission School please send your check or money order to:
Mission San Xavier del Bac
c/o Pastor
1950 W. San Xavier Road
Tucson, AZ 85746-7409
Or use one of the many donation containers around the property.
If you wish to contribute to the restoration of the church building, you may contact the Patronato www.patronatosanxavier.org, a non-profit organization that raises money to continue the interior and exterior restoration of this landmark. See link on our front page.
Statement on Mission usage:
The Mission was created to serve the needs of the local community here, the village of Wa:k (San Xavier District) on the Tohono O'odham reservation, as it still does today. We have people from all over the country, and the world, wanting to have their special event here at the mission, and sometimes that can be accommodated, but the policy of the Mission staff is to only do Marriages, Baptisms, etc. for the local community. Everyone is welcome to attend masses, special celebrations (like feast days), etc., but it is our belief that one's sacramental life should be shared within a person's local parish community. We do not rent out the church.
We do not want the Mission to be used for advertising of commercial businesses or used as a set for movies.
Mission San Xavier del Bac History
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.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
Location:
The Mission is 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona just off of Interstate 19. Take exit 92 (San Xavier Road) and follow signs to the Mission.
There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
The History:
The current church dates from the late 1700's, when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain. In 1783, Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain was able to begin construction on the present structure using money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher. He hired an architect, Ignacio Gaona, and a large workforce of O'odham to create the present church.
Following Mexican independence in 1821, San Xavier became part of Mexico. The last resident Franciscan of the 19th Century departed in 1837. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, the Mission joined the United States. In 1859 San Xavier became part of the Diocese of Santa Fe. In 1866 Tucson became an incipient diocese and regular services were held at the Mission once again. Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened a school at the Mission in 1872. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity now teach at the school and reside in the convent. To view the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity website http://fscc-calledtobe.org please select from the left menu on the History page.
The Franciscans returned to the Mission in 1913. Recently, Mission San Xavier became a separate nonprofit entity. It remains a testament to the endurance of culture thoughout our history.
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.
The Architecture:
Constructed of low-fire clay brick, stone and lime mortar, the entire structure is roofed with masonry vaults, making it unique among Spanish Colonial buildings within U. S. borders. The architect, Ignacio Gaona, is credited with building another church in Caborca, Sonora Mexico.
Little is known about the people who decorated the interior. The artwork was probably commissioned by Fr. Velderrain's successor and most likely created by artists from Queretero in New Spain (now Mexico). The sculpture was created in guild workshops and carried by donkey through the Pimeria Alta to its destination at the Mission. Craftsmen created gessoed clothing once the sculpture was in place.
The church contains numerous references to the Franciscan cord both on the facade and throughout the church.
The shell, a symbol of pilgrimage after the patron saint of Spain, Santiago or James the Greater, is replicated all through the structure in window treatments, the sanctuary, the facade and other details within the interior.
The Baroque architecture style features playful dramatic elements such as theatrical curtain displays, faux doors, marbling, and overall sense of balance.
The Restoration:
An earthquake in 1887 knocked down the mortuary wall and damaged parts of the church. Extensive repairs began in 1905, under Bishop Henry Granjon. The next round of restoration followed the years after 1939 when a lightning strike hit the West Tower lantern.
A group of community leaders formed the Patronanto San Xavier in 1978 to promote the conservation of Mission San Xavier. Shortly after a comprehensive study of its condition was completed, water seeped into the west wall of the church's sanctuary, forcing an emergency conservation effort by the Patronato. In a five-year program, an international team of conservators cleaned, removed over-painting, and repaired the interior painted and sculptured art of Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The Patronato continues exterior preservation work begun in 1999. Its restoration team is removing the earlier coating of cement plaster, repairing the historic brick beneath, and re-finishing the exterior surface with a traditional lime plaster. The sooner the cement can be removed, the greater the amount of original fabric can be preserved. More remains to be done if we are to guarantee this landmark for future generations. Please help us preserve this national treasure.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
Location:
The Mission is 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona just off of Interstate 19. Take exit 92 (San Xavier Road) and follow signs to the Mission.
There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
The History:
The current church dates from the late 1700's, when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain. In 1783, Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain was able to begin construction on the present structure using money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher. He hired an architect, Ignacio Gaona, and a large workforce of O'odham to create the present church.
The Franciscans returned to the Mission in 1913. Recently, Mission San Xavier became a separate nonprofit entity. It remains a testament to the endurance of culture thoughout our history.
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
The Architecture:
Constructed of low-fire clay brick, stone and lime mortar, the entire structure is roofed with masonry vaults, making it unique among Spanish Colonial buildings within U. S. borders. The architect, Ignacio Gaona, is credited with building another church in Caborca, Sonora Mexico.
Little is known about the people who decorated the interior. The artwork was probably commissioned by Fr. Velderrain's successor and most likely created by artists from Queretero in New Spain (now Mexico). The sculpture was created in guild workshops and carried by donkey through the Pimeria Alta to its destination at the Mission. Craftsmen created gessoed clothing once the sculpture was in place.
The church contains numerous references to the Franciscan cord both on the facade and throughout the church.
The shell, a symbol of pilgrimage after the patron saint of Spain, Santiago or James the Greater, is replicated all through the structure in window treatments, the sanctuary, the facade and other details within the interior.
The Baroque architecture style features playful dramatic elements such as theatrical curtain displays, faux doors, marbling, and overall sense of balance.
An earthquake in 1887 knocked down the mortuary wall and damaged parts of the church. Extensive repairs began in 1905, under Bishop Henry Granjon. The next round of restoration followed the years after 1939 when a lightning strike hit the West Tower lantern.
A group of community leaders formed the Patronanto San Xavier in 1978 to promote the conservation of Mission San Xavier. Shortly after a comprehensive study of its condition was completed, water seeped into the west wall of the church's sanctuary, forcing an emergency conservation effort by the Patronato. In a five-year program, an international team of conservators cleaned, removed over-painting, and repaired the interior painted and sculptured art of Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The Patronato continues exterior preservation work begun in 1999. Its restoration team is removing the earlier coating of cement plaster, repairing the historic brick beneath, and re-finishing the exterior surface with a traditional lime plaster. The sooner the cement can be removed, the greater the amount of original fabric can be preserved. More remains to be done if we are to guarantee this landmark for future generations. Please help us preserve this national treasure.
May your light illuminate our hearts
Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem this night fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of your son Jesus Christ, even as he humbled himself to share our humanity. Amen.
Mission San Xavier del Bac listing was last updated on the 30th of May, 2019
