Talk to enough people about what drew them to Tucson, and someone is bound to mention the jagged mountains, harsh landscape and otherworldly quality the desert takes on come sunset.
For many, it's a spiritual experience.
Just get out into the desert, with both its grandeur and severity, and look up at the saguaros and down at the city. It feels holy, sometimes.
For this week — Holy Week for Christians and the beginning of Passover for the Jewish faith — we thought we'd highlight a few Southern Arizona sites that are both spiritual in purpose and beautiful. They're places that inspire contemplation even if you don't share the faith. Many have a story to tell about our history.
And yes, we know this list only has seven sites. It's not at all exhaustive and these are in no particular order. Please feel free to share your favorites with us.
We put this list together with a bit of help from a reader. Raquel Givens emailed us, suggesting a list like this. Her own interest in these kinds of spaces stems from a University High School art history project that took her to Mission San Xavier del Bac. Not a Catholic herself, Givens shared with us that she could still appreciate "the reverence, serenity and peace" the mission offered.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
The Mission San Xavier del Bac is one of the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the United States, and it's right here in Tucson.
Since we already mentioned it, we'll start here. Father Eusebio Francisco Kino established the mission in 1692, although the structure we have today dates to the late 1700s, constructed by the Tohono O'odham and Franciscan missionaries. (Father Kino was a Jesuit explorer and missionary).
The original builders never finished the east bell tower, and rumors abound as to why. But really? The builders just ran out of money.
The mission is a National Historic Landmark known for its Spanish Colonial architecture in a Baroque style. It's still an active parish.
Bonus: Go to Tumacácori National Historical Park, where you can find the ruins of another Father Kino mission.
Sources: "A brief history of the Mission San Xavier del Bac" by Patronato San Xavier, "Mission Possible: Restore San Xavier" published by the Arizona Daily Star April 25, 2015 and "Mission San Xavier del Bac: 11 things to know" published by the Arizona Daily Star January 21, 2017.
Garden of Gethsemane
Tucson's Garden of Gethsemane is a tranquil spot.
Tucson has its very own Garden of Gethsemane, the biblical grove of trees where Jesus Christ prayed and was arrested the night before his crucifixion. The garden west of Interstate 10 off of Congress Street is quiet and contemplative, shaded by towering trees. You'll find sculptures here depicting scenes including Jesus with his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus on the cross, and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
The garden grew out of a promise sculptor Felix Lucero made to God while he was lying wounded on a World War I battlefield. Its roots go deep.
Since its creation in the 1940s, the garden has survived a move for the Congress Street bridge, flooding and vandalism.
Sources: "Garden of Gethsemane" by the City of Tucson and "Spiritual Oasis" published by the Arizona Daily Star on April 12, 2000.
St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church
St. Philips In The Hills Episcopal Church is a very popular church in the Foothills,Tuesday August 26, 2003 in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star.
Another spot to inspire reflection and inspiration, this church on the northeast corner of Campbell Avenue and River Road was designed by Tucson-famous architect Josias Joesler in 1936.
With its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the church showcases Spanish design.
The church has grown over the years and now includes an art gallery, memorial garden and labyrinth. (Side note: Princess Margaret, as in sister of Queen Elizabeth II, visited Tucson and this church in 1965. Have we all seen the second season of "The Crown" by now? 😍)
Sources: "Church gains landmark status" published by the Arizona Daily Star on March 15, 2005 and stphilipstucson.org.
Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David
Residents of the St. David monastery and RV park gather several times a day for prayer and worship.
This one requires a field trip, but we really think it's worth it (also tack on trips to Benson and Tombstone and make a weekend of it. How to do that here). The Benedictine monastery, which opened in 1974, spans an estimated 150 acres and includes multiple ponds, pecan orchards and a bird sanctuary along the San Pedro River. Take a picnic and wander the grounds or pop into the small chapel.
Also: There's an enormous Celtic cross that looms above the pecan and cottonwood trees and Stations of the Cross to pace.
Although the monastic community (meaning the monks who lived on the property) was dissolved in early 2017, a band of RVers and oblates (laypeople devoted to the Rule of St. Benedict) still live on site.
Bonus: You might also want to check out the Benedictine Monastery at 800 N. Country Club Road. The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who have lived there since the 40s announced the closure in 2016. A local developer is currently proposing two seven-story apartment complexes beside the monastery, which could become a boutique hotel, restaurant, community spa or coffee house. So go visit now.
Sources: "Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David ordered to dissolve" published by the Arizona Daily Star April 23, 2017 and "Snowbirds embrace holy wintering at St. David monastery" published by the Arizona Daily Star March 26, 2016, "Plans unveiled for 7-story apartments beside Benedictine Monastery" published by the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, March 28.
Jewish History Museum
The Jewish History Museum at 564 S Stone Ave., left, is next to the Holocaust History Center, background. The center has stories of Holocaust survivors and their families along with other programs. The museum itself was the first synagogue in the Arizona Territory, The photo was taken on Thursday, October 8, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza/ Arizona Daily Star
The building that now houses the museum was actually the first Jewish synagogue in the Arizona Territory, dedicated in 1910. Temple Emanu-El, now at 225 N. Country Club Road, originally met here. Congregation Anshei Israel, also eventually took up residence in the building.
The building at 564 S. Stone Ave. eventually became the Jewish History Museum. The Holocaust History Center was constructed on the property in 2013. The expansion of the Holocaust History Center in 2016 allows the museum to further tell the story of Tucson's Holocaust survivors. The space is quiet, meditative and somber, but will leave you inspired by the resilience and contributions of Tucson's Jewish community.
Bonus: If you want more of Southern Arizona's Jewish history, there's a mostly abandoned Jewish cemetery in Douglas that the Jewish History Museum was working to restore. More on that here.
Sources: "Almost like new" published by the Arizona Daily Star March 27, 2001 and "Tucson's Holocaust story showcased at new center" published by the Arizona Daily Star February 19, 2016.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple
The new temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on West Skyline Drive in the Foothills.
You can't miss it. The new Mormon temple looms large in front of the Catalina Mountains at 7281 N. Skyline Drive. The 38,216-square-foot temple was dedicated in August with public tours scheduled earlier last summer. It's the sixth Mormon temple built in Arizona and has a dome — unlike the steeples of most temples — to mimic Tucson landmarks such as the Pima County Courthouse and Mission San Xavier.
Only members of the Mormon church in good standing and with a recommendation from leadership can enter the temple now that the open houses are over. But anyone can wander the grounds. (If you want a peek inside, check out this story).
Sources: "Public tours of Tucson's new Mormon temple begin Saturday" published by the Arizona Daily Star May 30, 2017.
St. Augustine Cathedral
Clouds reflect the sunset in downtown Tucson behind the towers of St. Augustine Cathedral.
The cathedral adds some Tucson flair to our downtown skyline and dates to 1897. It was renovated in the 1960s and is named after Tucson's patron saint.
The hub of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, the cathedral remains an active parish today. The interior of the cathedral is everything you hope for from a historic Catholic church — grand, ornate and peaceful. Slip into one of the pews during the week, and you're likely to find flickering candles and prayerful people. There's also a lovely, newly restored chapel on the property.
Cathedral Square itself is currently undergoing some major construction. That enormous building going up just north of the cathedral will be offices and an event and education center for the diocese. Marist College — that old building that looks like it's about to fall down — is going to become a community center and affordable housing for seniors.
Bonus: Tucson has an abundance of beautiful, Catholic churches, including Santa Cruz Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic Church.
Sources: "To stay downtown, diocese will restore Tucson's Cathedral Square" published by the Arizona Daily Star January 29, 2016, "Neto's Tucson: 209-year-old Presidio bell to ring again" published by the Arizona Daily Star August 14, 2016.
Editor's note: We have plans to expand this list in the future. Which sites would you add? Email us at thisistucson@tucson.com.
