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Tucson, Arizona

There's a long association between the name of St. Augustine and the Tucson area, dating back to the Spanish military and missionary presence in the 1700s.

There were two villages with the name of San Agustín del Tucson. The first was situated at the foot of today's A Mountain, and the second grew up around the Spanish Presidio (fort) of Tucson which was located across the Santa Cruz River from the first. Churches under the patronage of St. Augustine were built at both sites, but only the church at the Presidio lasted into the American territorial period.

In the mid 1800s, a third church of St. Augustine was built. A historical marker in a small park at Church and Broadway downtown marks the location of that adobe and stone structure, whose arched portal now decorates the entrance to the Arizona Historical Society Museum at 949 East 2nd Street in Tucson. This church, used by Arizona's first bishop, Jean Baptiste Salpointe of France, was abandoned after a new church of St. Augustine was built in 1897 and dedicated by Bishop Peter Bourgade, also of France, on the site of today's Cathedral.

The original plans for the new church called for a Gothic style structure with thin pointed spires, but because of lack of funds the spires were never completed. So, for more than thirty years, including those of a third French bishop, Henry Granjon, Tucson's Catholics worshipped in a church of bare brick walls that had only the bases of towers. It was Bishop Daniel Gercke, the first U.S. born bishop of Tucson, who began the transformation of that brick structure into the outstanding example of Mexican baroque architecture you see today, including the magnificent cast stone facade completed in 1928 which was inspired by the Cathedral of Querétaro, Mexico.

With the exception of the facade and towers, the Cathedral was demolished and rebuilt in the late 1960s under the leadership of Bishop Francis J. Green.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Old Town Artisans

Located in the El Presidio Historic District is the little city block of Old Town Artisans. The 150 year old adobe building has 6

Tucson, AZ Arts

Titan Missile Museum

The Titan Missile Museum is the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation. When you visit the Titan Missile Museum, you travel through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. Tours are offered of this actual missile site, the only one of 54 such silos preserved as a <

Tucson, AZ Museums

Tucson Children's Museum

Southern Arizona's interactive museum for children. Explore ten exciting galleries of hands-on exhibits and participate in challenging activities. Guided tours for groups available. Air-conditioned. Dinosaur World

Tucson, AZ Learning Centers

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is a dazzling multimedia theater and a truly unique educational experience, with 8,600 stars, galaxies, the Sun, the Moon, the planets, meteors, 30 projectors, two video systems and a sound system that is out of this world!

Tucson, AZ Planetariums

International Wildlife Museum

"Safari Club International Foundation wishes to inform you that the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, AZ, closed its doors on December 31, 2023

Tucson, AZ Museums

Things to do near Tucson, AZ

Woolworth Company

The Woolworth Company was constructed in 1917, and is the only neoclassical commercial building in Nogales as well as the onl...

Mt. Graham Municipal Golf Course

Mt. Graham Municipal Golf Course is committed to bringing you the finest golf value in Southeastern Arizona. Expect great pla...

Patagonia Roadside Rest

Almost as well known as the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, the Roadside Rest is the best place to look for the Rose-throat...

Arizona Historical Society Museum at Tucson

The Tucson Main Museum features interactive and traditional exhibits about Arizona's dynamic past, including an underground c...

Desert Hills Golf Club

Course Access: PrivateHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 1 days...