Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Cathedral of St. Augustine
The cathedral of the Diocese of Tucson, a Spanish Colonial Revival church in downtown Arizona that has anchored the local Catholic community since the 1860s.
St. Augustine's sits on Stone Avenue in the heart of old Tucson, a block from where the original adobe church stood when Arizona was still a territory. The present building dates to 1896, with major renovations in the 1920s and 1960s that gave it the white stucco exterior, red tile roof, and twin bell towers you see today. The sanctuary is warm-toned and uncomplicated, with carved wooden reredos, desert-hued accents, and a hammered-metal tabernacle. The parish has served Tucson's Mexican-American community for over 150 years, and Spanish-language Masses remain central to parish life. Step outside and you're in the Sonoran Desert, with saguaros visible on the nearby hills.
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson
Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
What to See
The facade is best seen in morning light when the white stucco glows against the desert sky. Inside, the reredos behind the altar is handsome woodwork worth a close look. The side shrines are modest but well-maintained, and the stained glass filters Arizona sunlight into soft color.
Pilgrim Notes
Mass is offered daily in both English and Spanish. The cathedral is downtown and easy to reach. Tucson's San Xavier del Bac mission is a short drive south and makes a natural pairing for any Catholic visitor to the area.