Mission Valley in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Photographed By Meg B, November 21, 2019
1. Mission San Xavier del Bac Marker
Glydie Ann Nelson, State President
National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century
November 15, 2012
Erected 2012 by National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames of America, National Society of series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1908.
Location. 32° 6.431′ N, 111° 0.458′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Mission Valley. The marker is in the main corridor after passing through the entrance to the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson AZ 85746, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Mission San Xavier del Bac (a few steps from this marker); The Grotto at San Xavier del Bac (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Municipal Airport in the United States (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Korean War Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away);
this page online
Also see . . . Kino Heritage Society. (Submitted on December 2, 2019.)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 7, 2015
2. Wide view of Mission San Xavier del Bac Marker
The marker is on the left on one of the corridor columns. Note the ceiling made of local materials.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 7, 2015
3. Courtyard fountain at Mission San Xavier del Bac
Photochrom postcard by the Detroit Photographic Company, 1902
4. San Xavier Mission, Tucson, Arizona.
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....
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. - SanXavierMission.org
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 22, 2020, by Meg B of Chesapeake, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on August 29, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
