Mission San Xavier del Bac

About

San Xavier del Bac is a white Spanish colonial mission church south of Tucson, built between 1783 and 1797 on a site Padre Eusebio Kino first established in 1692. It is still an active Catholic parish serving the Tohono O'odham Nation, and it has been a National Historic Landmark since 1960. Walking in costs nothing, and the parking lot is free too. Volunteer docents lead short free tours Monday through Saturday, and donations go toward keeping the old building in good shape. The ornate interior is what keeps people coming back, along with the unfinished east tower that makes the outside easy to spot. Weddings, funerals and services can briefly close the church to visitors, so give yourself some flexibility.