45 Underrated Religious College Towns Across America You'll Fall in Love With

26. San Xavier del Bac (near Tucson, Arizona): Desert Jewel of Faith

Just south of Tucson, the San Xavier del Bac Mission is a magnificent example of Spanish colonial architecture and a living testament to Native American and Catholic faith. Known as the "White Dove of the Desert," this stunning 18th-century church, with its intricate frescoes and sculptures, has continuously served the Tohono O'odham nation. It's a place of active worship and pilgrimage, where visitors can witness the blending of indigenous spiritual practices with Catholic traditions, offering a profound, visually breathtaking glimpse into the enduring power of faith in the Sonoran Desert.