SANTA CRUZ PARISH
QUICK FACTS
1919+2006
This is a quick guide to the history highlights of Santa Cruz Church, School and Parish organizations. Facts are taken from the National Register of Historic Places, Santa Cruz Parish Archives, "Manuel G. Flores--Building History" by Ann Von Kanel and The Carmelite 50th Jubilee Program Guide. Thank you all who contributed.
Bishop Henri Granjon, sketched out how he wanted Santa Cruz Church to be built, His excellency had no formal architectural training.
Santa Cruz Church was built when Woodrow Wilson was president, World War I was coming to a close.
Bishop Henri Granjon was from Lyon, France. He was Tucson's second Bishop.
Manuel G. Flores, Santa Cruz Church Builder, had just completed building Holy Family Church because the original builder was succumbed by the Spanish flu.
Mr. Flores built The Carmelite Hall and Jacob's Assay Office on 10th Ave between 24th and 26th Streets.
Santa Cruz Church is considered built in the "Spanish-Colonial revival style."
The Sanctuary stands on a raised platform built to withstand earthquakes like the one that rattled Tucson in 1887 estimated at 7.5 on the Richter Scale.
The bricks used were bought 2000 (wagon load) for $10.00
Santa Cruz Church is the largest building utilizing unstabilized adobe as the primary material in Arizona, the great basilica of the nave measures 120 feet in length, 55 feet in width and 30 feet in height. The closest competitor is Tumacacori Mission 60 miles south.
The bell tower is built with fired brick, it is 90 feet tall.
The cupola (dome) at the west end was added later in the 1940's.
Santa Cruz Church is the oldest on Tucson's south side and the second oldest Catholic Church-temple in Tucson.
A second story above the Church office was built in circa 1940, but was removed almost 20 years later due to damage it was causing to the ground floor structure.
The first Discalced Carmelites arrived in Tucson as early as 1911.
Santa Cruz Parish was the Parish from south Tucson to the southern border with Mexico.
Brother Angel Fort built the "El Centro" building for the Youth Group.
Santa Cruz School started the first few years as all Spanish instruction.
Santa Cruz School was first staffed by Immaculate Heart Sisters fleeing from religious persecution in Mexico. They lived in the basement of Holy Family Church.
The Santa Cruz School building was located where the Br. Angel center (convent) now stands.
There was an orchard where the School now stands.
The Capilla de Guadalupe burnt to the ground in the 1960's and was rebuilt by Fr. Ignacio Bach.
More added soon. The investigation is ongoing.