Barry Fotheringham
barry@barryfotheringham.com
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Tucson, AZ 85710
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MISSION SAN XAVIER DEL BACFacility Rentals
Bac means “where the water appears” due to the nearby area where the Santa Cruz River rises to the surface of the land. Even from the air as you fly into Tucson, the little mission stands out. Dressed in its brilliant white cloak, it is hard to miss.
Take an hour or two and visit this truly historic spot. There is no charge but donations are more than welcome.
The buildings were started in 1783 and are pretty much unchanged since the completion in 1797. It was built in a graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine, and late Mexico Renaissance architecture. It is run by the order of Franciscans and still serves the Tohono O’odham Indians as it did when it was built.
Several mysteries surround the little mission, such as who was the architect, who were the artists, and why was just one of the two main towers at the front completed? It is odd that there are no records that answer these questions since the mission has been used continuously since 1797.
The interior is dramatic with silver, gold, statues and wall paintings that had basically not been touched for 200 years. Damage had slowly but surely invaded the sanctuary. In 1978 a group of concerned people began looking into the complex and expensive job of restoration.
Beginning in 1992 through 1997, the people of Tucson were privileged to be able to observe first hand the delicate art of bringing back to life gorgeous paintings and rich gold and silver object that had been tarnished and damaged for so many years. Candles took a major toll with the smoke as well as the wax that melts and settles onto the walls and ceilings.
Two of the people working with the team of restorers were the husband and wife team of Timothy Lewis and Matilde Rubio. Tim is from the Tohono O’odham tribe and met Mathilde when they were training as apprentice conservators in Rome. The painstaking work on the mission was an inch by inch job involving chemical cleaning, gluing tiny paint chips back into place with the use of syringes and cleaning off the 200 year old wax and soot.
Since 1997 they have been in Spain working on major restoration projects. Now the mission project is delighted to have been able to hire Tim and Mathilde to work on a program of annual upkeep that will bring them here each year for about two months. Their efforts will help to prevent future deterioration.
It is lovely way to spend a couple of hours and to go back in time. Wander around the grounds and stop in the gift shop. This is truly a one-of-a-kind place.
The mission is located at 1950 W. San Xavier Road (southwest of Tucson).
It is open every day of the year from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For worship hours, call (520) 294-2624 or (520) 294-3438.
http://www.sanxaviermission.org/
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