St Xavier de Bac Mission Interior

[larryj]

This is one of several prayer stations in the interior of the mission St Xavier de Bac. The church was built in 1797 and the statuary and art works were made by artisans in New Spain (now known as Mexico City) then brought up the church for installation. The trip from New Spain was by wagon train. This statue is of Saint Antonio the patron saint of sailors and fishing. If you are ever in the Tucson, AZ area you should plan on stopping at the mission, it is only 9 miles from the city and well worth the trip.

 

[AlanLichty]

Neat place to see a snapshot in time from that era. This was actually built over 100 years after the mission itself was established in 1692. Nice capture of the interior fresco work.

 

[JimFox]

I will need to stop by there the next time I am down there. What a great interior image Larry. The artistry of churches back then, makes most of our current churches feel very cold and stale. Such craftsmanship.

 

[larryj]

Neat place to see a snapshot in time from that era. This was actually built over 100 years after the mission itself was established in 1692. Nice capture of the interior fresco work.

Thanks for the nice comments Alan, appreciated. Actually a first mission was built earlier and north of the present site. The first mission was raised in an Apache raid in 1770 and the current church completed in 1796.

 

[larryj]

I will need to stop by there the next time I am down there. What a great interior image Larry. The artistry of churches back then, makes most of our current churches feel very cold and stale. Such craftsmanship.

Thanks Jim for your comments, very much appreciated. The craftmentship is wonderful. Some of the children in the statues have real clothes that are washed each week and replaced on the figures. Now that is dedication!