The east tower, at right, stands in clear contrast to the renovation and refinishing of the west tower at San Xavier Mission in Tucson. Photo taken Thursday, October 1, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Why was the east tower never finished?
Because the builders ran out of money. The whole church is unfinished – you can even see bits of murals penciled – but never painted – on the interior walls. However, over the years people have figured out their own answers – legends, if you will – and here are some of the most common. All are great stories, which is why they are told and retold. But there is no documentary evidence for any of them:
• Someone fell off the tower, and work was halted.
• If a building was unfinished, its owners didn't have to pay tax on it.
• A cyclone blew the dome off the east tower, and it was never replaced.
- Jim Griffith for the Arizona Daily Star
