The Old Adobe Mission Plus Other Great Places All on One Block in Scottsdale
I always make it a point to visit at least one church, cathedral, or religious site wherever I travel. I love the architecture, the artwork, the stillness (usually), the history, and the various expressions of faith. Unique and more modern churches in Scottsdale abound, but there is a small adobe church that captured my heart. It was once called Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church when it was built by hand in the early 1930’s by Mexican-Americans who settled in Scottsdale. It was built in the Spanish Colonial style and looks very much like a smaller version of missions I’ve seen in California. Read more about its history below.
The church is now called The Old Adobe Mission and it has been lovingly restored. I think it is a very special place. Not only are the architectural details beautiful, its size leads to a feeling of coziness and close-knit community. I visited it over the holidays so it was especially beautiful decorated for Christmas. You can see some photos below.
The mission is open more in the cooler months, as I’m guessing there is no air conditioning. Here are the current hours:
June 1st - September 30th
Saturday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
October 1st - May 31st
Monday - Sunday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
If you ever get a chance to visit Scottsdale, add it to your to-see list! Take a few minutes to reflect, rest, worship or pray. It’s a serene respite and contradiction compared to typical tourist attractions, so even if you are not religious you can still appreciate its history, stillness, and beauty.
If you would like to experience a bit more history, the town’s first blacksmith shop is on the same block and you can view the outside of the building as well as a few artifacts out front. And if you’re looking for a highly-rated restaurant, check out The Mission restaurant in between the two buildings. I didn’t get to try it, but it was very busy when I was there, so you know it has to be good. 😋 Link below!
Scottsdale’s First Blacksmith Shop
The Restaurant Next Door to the Mission
