The White Dove of the Desert

Upon arriving in Tucson we headed to Bill's cousin Suzanne's home since she graciously offered to be our tour guide for the next couple of days.  Since Bill over spent 20 years teaching 4th grade California history which is heavy on missions, we decided our first stop would be the Mission San Xavier del Bac.  The mission can be seen for miles and has been nicknamed the White Dove of the Desert.

In 1783, Fr. Juan Bautista Vederrain began today's church with 7,000 pesos borrowed from rancher Antonio Herreros.  The church was constructed using lime mortar, kiln-fired brick, masonry vaults and exquisite details to rival any church in Mexico.  From 1790 to 1815 Fr. Juan Bautista Llorens brought artists from central Spain to complete the interior.  The artists earned double pay because the Apaches were a constant threat.

In 1797 the money ran out and all work on the church stopped.  The east tower was left without a dome or lantern, and the choir loft and baptistery paintings were left unfinished.  The Gadsden Purchase in 1854 brought the area under United States control and regular services resumed in the church in 1866.  In 1913 the Order of Friars Minor returned where the Tohono O'odham had faithfully protected their church and its sacred chalices.

After a stop for lunch we headed 40 miles south to the San Jose de Tumacacori mission.  This mission was founded by the Jesuit Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1691.  The current church was begun about 1800.  Over the next 20 years the work started and stopped several times due to lack of funding, Apache attacks, and lack of priests for the mission.  The war with Mexico, Apache attacks, lack of provisions and an extremely cold winter finally forced the last residents to leave Tumacacori.

 
We finished touring the mission just as the sky opened up and the rain began to pour, perfect timing.

Today's 3 Fun Facts:

     1.  Fr. Kino was a much beloved missionary.  He introduced wheat, livestock and fruit trees to the Pimas as well as impressive church ritual and pageantry.
     2.  Over $10 million has been raised from private sources to restore and preserve Mission San Xavier.
     3.  Archaeologists make the best tour guides, thank you Suzanne!