San Xavier Mission, near Tucson

On our way out of Tucson, heading south we stopped at the San Xavier Mission.    The mission was one of many opened by Father Kino in his travels through what is now Arizona, establishing missions to convert the natives to Christianity.
We joined a tour group but I had trouble hearing what was being said but the church is a fine example of early mission architecture.  It makes a nice stop.  

View from the roadway

The church in the middle with the mortuary chapel on the left and the  convent on the right

the front of the church

The choir loft 

Statue on the exterior of the central structure

Lovely cupola painted by native hands

It was very serene in the church.  I could have sat there for some time in meditation.  The church is located on Indian land and there is a small community right there with a school that is supported in part by donations from the public.  Donations also help with the upkeep and maintenance of the church.