Mission San Xavier del Bac

This old mission is filled with history & wonderful ornate carving both inside & out - a real gem!

A very old cactus by the parking lot seemed to fit with the very old mission, & the mission school is still serving the native children on this reservation. 

  

It's quite a large complex. 


Like some other churches & chathedrals, one tower was never completed. 

  

The attention to detail throughout was amazing. 

           


  

This nativity & this courtyard both caught my eye. 

For inquiring minds, there's a fairly extensive museum detailing the history of this mission & also some more general history of the Native Americans, the Spanish settlers, the Jesuits, & the Franciscans. 

My friend, Michelle, gave me an appreciation for many Catholic beliefs & traditions, so this carved statue of San Xavier along with the mementos left & the explanatory panels in the museum were especially interesting. 


If any of this intrigued you, more info can be found here: https://sanxaviermission.org/ 

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