Mission San Xavier del Bac, just south of Tucson, Arizona, is a Catholic church founded by a Jesuit priest, Father Eusebio Francisco Kinois, in 1692. The church, sometimes called White Dove of the Desert, was built in 1783. In 1828, the Mexican government pressed all Spanish priests to pledge governmental loyalty. The priest serving at San Xavier (hauv-e-air) refused to be influenced by the Spanish and was sent home. San Xavier was left vacant and the church began to decay. Local Indians, concerned about the church, took furnishings into their homes to preserve what they could.
Repairs, funded by the Santa Fe Diocese, began in 1859. Today, visitors are welcome and the church is still active with weekly services. The church was undergoing exterior repair in 2005 and this enchanting interior has recently received a complete refurbishment. The church interior presents exquisite ornate trim, beautiful frescos, stained glass and marvelous detail.