The White Dove of the Desert, San Xavier del Bac
May 2021
Preserving San Xavier del Bac
Every disadvantage has its advantage. While we didn’t complete the trail in Saguaro NP, the extra time allowed us to visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a stunning example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
The mission, with the well-chosen nickname the “White Dove of the Desert,” is located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, in the heart of the San Xavier Indian Reservation. It is a bright white complex, perfectly situated so the white illuminates against the desert floor and the deep blue sky.
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The mission was founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Kino, and the current brick structure was completed in 1797. The iconic, never-finished, right tower was covered in scaffolding for restoration! Preservationists removed old cement from the 1900s and replaced it with traditional lime plaster mixed with cactus juice, allowing the building to breathe in the desert climate.
Inside, the decorated high ceilings and decorated altar are filled with well-crafted paintings and century-old statues. The mission is a place where history and faith still come together every day. As an active parish, the church was filled with people, many lighting candles in the quiet, beautifully decorated interior. Just before we left, we joined them in the small, glowing chapel, lighting a candle for our family clan to keep them in our thoughts.