It's called the White Dove of the desert. San Xavier del Bac Mission, just south of Tucson, Arizona is one of the oldest continuously used structures in the West. I believe it's the oldest continually used Catholic Church in the United States. Construction began in 1783, and the mission was completed in 1797.
This Sunday evening, Ginny and I drove to San Xavier del Bac at sunset to share its beauty with you. Thanks for stopping by; come back soon.
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It almost looks moorish, Mike. There is a Mormon temple overlooking the freeway on the way to San Diego from here, that has this kind of ethereal look.
It sure is beautiful Mike! It's looks like a magical castle :)
Wow it looks like Greece! Amazing! :-)
Liz,
That's the effect of the whitewash exterior.
Sally,
It certainly is beautiful!
Jane,
Click the link to read all about the structure. Here's something from their website:
"San Xavier Mission is acclaimed by many to be the finest example of mission architecture in the United States. It is a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture, yet the blending is so complete it is hard to tell where one type begins and another ends."
Mike in Tucson
Great photo of the exterior Mike! You don't often get a glimpse from that angle - which really shows it as "The White Dove of the Desert". I took my Mom & Dad there for Mother's Day in 2008 - here are some shots of the interior.
Kent,
Thanks for the link! I've never seen a photo from this angle.
Mike in Tucson
Ooh, am I good :)
I am now in Speechless Sundays. So difficult to keep up.
BTW - Mike - I gave your name & contact info to some folks today...hopefully it will pan out into us working together on another deal!
It's like an oasis in the desert. BTW, I like your new picture!
Leolinda,
It certainly looks like one. And thanks!
Kent,
Thank you! I'll look for a call.
Jane,
Yes you are! LOL
Mike in Tucson
Hey Mike - Beautiful shot! We'll put that on our list for the next time we are out to Tucson.
JD,
It's only 26 minutes away! Are you thinking next week?
Mike in Tucson
Mike, it is good to know that some of these old missions are still being used and what a beauty it is.
Mike - Does it look as spectacular on the inside as it doe on the outside? This is a beautiful picture, keep them coming.
Larry,
Courtesy of Kent Simpson,
here are some shots of the interior.
Don,
This one certainly is.
Mike in Tucson
Beautiful 'building' and I love the clouds in the background. Heavenly! Thank you.
Mike,
Very nice capture! The name "White Dove of the Desert" fits perfectly for this structure as seen in your beautiful photo.
Love that new picture of your head rising out of the desert!
It doesn't look like what I would think of as a Catholic church. Love to see inside.
Great capture Mike and it doesn't look like anything form the US!
Mike Wow - you had history going on there at the same time we did here in the east :) Karen
Mike,
You've done it again.
This is inspiring, it's gorgeous.
Bill
Beautiful, Mike. I love the shot from that angle. Great composition, in my opinion.
Doreen,
Thanks for the encouragement!
Bill,
Ditto my response to Doreen! Thanks for stopping by.
Karen,
There's a bronze statue of Father Kino, the founder of the mission, riding a horse. I'll have to get a photo.
Robert,
For 115 years, it wasn't part of the United States! Arizona was admitted to the Union as a State by President Taft in 1912.
Terry & Bonnie,
Click the active link above in Comment #5 by Kent Simpson to see and explore the interior of the mission.
Ann,
I'm buried up to my neck waiting for the ants to devour me. LOL
Gerry,
Thanks!
Susie,
You're welcome. Thanks for calling the other day.
Mike in Tucson
I came back to let you know I stole this photo. It's down loaded to my desk top. :-)
Doreen,
Mucho gusto!
Mike in Tucson