This Arizona church is more than 200 years old. Here’s why it’s worth the road trip

San Xavier del Bac Mission is one of Arizona’s oldest churches and the oldest intact European structure in the state.

While it attracts thousands of visitors each year, San Xavier Del Bac Mission is the perfect day trip destination for both Tucson and Valley-area residents.

The mission is an active Catholic church. In addition to mass, the church also holds events like weddings and funerals.

San Xavier Del Bac Mission is located along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1,200-mile trail with sites across 20 counties in Arizona, California and Mexico. The trail follows the Anza colonization expedition of 1775, with historical sites on the way like San Xavier del Bac Mission.

More: This Arizona town is older than the US. Here’s how to visit it and 11 other old towns

Is San Xavier del Bac Mission the oldest church in Arizona?

San Xavier del Bac Mission is generally regarded as the oldest Roman Catholic church in Arizona. It was founded in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.

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