Would you like to learn more about San Xavier?
Take the tour! Since spring 2011, docents for Patronato have been conducting scheduled free tours of the two-centuries-old church.
It’s the first organized tour program in the church’s history. Qualified volunteers take visitors through a 45-minute program outlining the history and architecture, while fielding tour questions.
“It was a logical step in expanding people’s appreciation for this national jewel,” said Vern Lamplot, Patronato’s executive director. “If the church is to survive in the future, people must understand San Xavier’s importance to the history and culture of Arizona. It is a unique treasure.”
The tour program is part of Patronato’s overall mission as a resource “solely and exclusively for historical, research, scientific and education purposes concerned with the restoration, maintenance and preservation of Mission San Xavier.”
“I think the number one comment that we hear is ‘I have been coming here for years and this is the first time I have understood everything I am seeing,’” said Al Lockwood who is the volunteer coordinator of the docent program.
In February 2011, Patronato sent out requests for volunteers. The response was immediate. More than 40 people came to the initial meeting, and the program has been growing ever since. With about 20 members tour-qualified through self-study and practice, the docent program is now operating daily tours.
“The reservoir of affection for San Xavier in the community is not a surprise to those of us who love the church,” said Lamplot. “But the speed that the docents organized themselves is amazing. It’s a tribute to the quality of our volunteers who have taken on the challenge of interpreting a National Historic Monument that is also an active Catholic parish.”
The tours have been a hit with visitors as well. “The tour is well worth the time,” wrote one out-of-state visitor in the Mission’s guestbook, one of many comments about the docents.
“Thank you for arranging the Forum tour of the Mission. (Docent) Sarah Tunnell was excellent, and everyone enjoyed San Xavier,” wrote another tour participant.
Special thanks go to Al Lockwood who coordinates the program and also to docents Carolyne and Jonathan Bass, San Xavier parishioners who schedule the tours and head the tour publicity committee.
The tour schedule can be found online at http://web.mac.com/patronato and, later this year, at http://www.patronatosanxavier.org.
If you have an interest in San Xavier and would like to join the docent program, call 520 407-6130 or email patronatoSX@earthlink.net.