San Xavier Mission, January 2013

This is a place we marveled at in the late 80s, but has since been retored by the same folks that restore churches in Italy. And what a wonderful job they have done!

San Xavier Mission was founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction was between 1783 and 1797. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with original statuary and murals.

After Mexican independence in 1821, San Xavier became part of Mexico. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, the Mission joined the United States. In 1859 San Xavier became part of the Diocese of Santa Fe. Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened a school at the Mission in 1872. It is now a non-profit organization and the building is still an active church.

http://www.sanxaviermission.org/Index.html