Cityscape Mission San Xavier del Bac

Mission San Xavier del Bac · **4 Likes**

Visited this mission just in time for some sunset shots, located just southwest of Tucson.

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-style structure in Arizona, the church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners from the Tohono O'odham Nation.

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.

**PJ1** · 03-04-2018, 09:23 PM

Great shots! Brings back great memories of my visits there when I was in Tucson. The White Dove of the Desert - I have colour slides somewhere. It is a beautiful building with an interesting history. I seem to remember that the second tower was deliberately left without its roof because they didn't have to pay tax until the building was complete. We visited it more than once. The last time was a very hot day (not unusual for Tucson) and I can remember we got Navajo fry bread from a little stall just outside the gate.

LeDave · 03-04-2018, 10:50 PM

Nice series. Good lighting. The skies are well done considering the fact the subject (buildings) are well lit. Mustve shot at sunset. I like the first best. All are good though.

**Geodude** · 03-06-2018, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by PJ1

Great shots! Brings back great memories of my visits there when I was in Tucson. The White Dove of the Desert - I have colour slides somewhere. It is a beautiful building with an interesting history. I seem to remember that the second tower was deliberately left without its roof because they didn't have to pay tax until the building was complete. We visited it more than once. The last time was a very hot day (not unusual for Tucson) and I can remember we got Navajo fry bread from a little stall just outside the gate.

I lived in central and southern Arizona back in the 70s, and hadn't visited the mission since then. It was anything but hot when I took these - around 50°F (10°C). You could be right about the incompleted bell tower, though I hadn't heard of that.

---------- Post added 03-06-18 at 08:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by LeDave

Nice series. Good lighting. The skies are well done considering the fact the subject (buildings) are well lit. Mustve shot at sunset. I like the first best. All are good though.

Yes, I had intended to be there to get some sunset shots. Unfortunately, the clouds had dissipated by then.

**Sailor** · 03-06-2018, 07:39 AM

One terrific set of photos - super job!

Jer

**Geodude** · 03-06-2018, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by Sailor

One terrific set of photos - super job!

Jer

Thanks, Jer, appreciate the comment...

sealonsf · 03-07-2018, 10:17 AM

Gorgeous. Great timing for the lighting. I love going to old missions. Really good photos - great composition. I've been to - or mostly through - Tucson a lot in my life and didn't know that place was there.

**Geodude** · 03-08-2018, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by sealonsf

Gorgeous. Great timing for the lighting. I love going to old missions. Really good photos - great composition. I've been to - or mostly through - Tucson a lot in my life and didn't know that place was there.

Thanks for your comment. It's relatively easy to access, you just have to head toward Nogales...

**twilhelm** · 03-14-2018, 03:30 PM

Terrific set! The lighting is great. I especially like the 1st and 3rd!

**PenPusher** · 03-15-2018, 02:38 AM

I like the second shot best, the cactus colours are beautiful.

**Geodude** · 03-15-2018, 07:01 AM

Thanks, PenPusher, and go blithely...

---------- Post added 03-15-18 at 09:03 AM ----------

Thanks, Tony, it's an interesting place...

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03-04-2018, 09:23 PM	#2
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,486	Great shots! Brings back great memories of my visits there when I was in Tucson. The White Dove of the Desert - I have colour slides somewhere. It is a beautiful building with an interesting history. I seem to remember that the second tower was deliberately left without its roof because they didn't have to pay tax until the building was complete. We visited it more than once. The last time was a very hot day (not unusual for Tucson) and I can remember we got Navajo fry bread from a little stall just outside the gate.

03-04-2018, 10:50 PM	#3
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Nice series. Good lighting. The skies are well done considering the fact the subject (buildings) are well lit. Mustve shot at sunset. I like the first best. All are good though.

03-06-2018, 07:25 AM	#4
Geodude Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Off to another adventure Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,417 Original Poster	Originally posted by PJ1 Great shots! Brings back great memories of my visits there when I was in Tucson. The White Dove of the Desert - I have colour slides somewhere. It is a beautiful building with an interesting history. I seem to remember that the second tower was deliberately left without its roof because they didn't have to pay tax until the building was complete. We visited it more than once. The last time was a very hot day (not unusual for Tucson) and I can remember we got Navajo fry bread from a little stall just outside the gate. I lived in central and southern Arizona back in the 70s, and hadn't visited the mission since then. It was anything but hot when I took these - around 50°F (10°C). You could be right about the incompleted bell tower, though I hadn't heard of that. ---------- Post added 03-06-18 at 08:27 AM ---------- Originally posted by LeDave Nice series. Good lighting. The skies are well done considering the fact the subject (buildings) are well lit. Mustve shot at sunset. I like the first best. All are good though. Yes, I had intended to be there to get some sunset shots. Unfortunately, the clouds had dissipated by then.

03-06-2018, 07:39 AM	#5
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,203	One terrific set of photos - super job! Jer

03-06-2018, 10:28 AM	#6
Geodude Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Off to another adventure Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,417 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sailor One terrific set of photos - super job! Jer Thanks, Jer, appreciate the comment...

03-07-2018, 10:17 AM	#7
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729	Gorgeous. Great timing for the lighting. I love going to old missions. Really good photos - great composition. I've been to - or mostly through - Tucson a lot in my life and didn't know that place was there.

03-08-2018, 08:04 AM	#8
Geodude Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Off to another adventure Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,417 Original Poster	Originally posted by sealonsf Gorgeous. Great timing for the lighting. I love going to old missions. Really good photos - great composition. I've been to - or mostly through - Tucson a lot in my life and didn't know that place was there. Thanks for your comment. It's relatively easy to access, you just have to head toward Nogales...

03-14-2018, 03:30 PM	#9
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Terrific set! The lighting is great. I especially like the 1st and 3rd!

03-15-2018, 02:38 AM	#10
PenPusher Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,048	I like the second shot best, the cactus colours are beautiful.

03-15-2018, 07:01 AM	#11
Geodude Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Off to another adventure Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,417 Original Poster	Thanks, PenPusher, and go blithely... ---------- Post added 03-15-18 at 09:03 AM ---------- Thanks, Tony, it's an interesting place...