Welcome to Old Adobe Mission
We invite you to come visit one of the most special and historic places in all of Arizona. At the Old Adobe Mission, we take pride in our unique history. Those who step inside our holy sanctuary find it hard to leave. There's something special about our little Mission church, and we are passionate about truly touching the lives of those who visit.
Located in the heart of historic Old Town Scottsdale, we attract people from all over the world who want to learn more about the early days of the area and to view our beautifully restored Mission, the oldest standing church in Scottsdale. The Old Adobe Mission is a historical phenomenon that must be witnessed during your travels. We attract the most devout, the most intrigued, and those that are looking for that rare place they will never forget.
Why not make a day of it!
The Old Adobe Mission is near the city’s celebrated arts, shopping, and entertainment districts. Experience Scottsdale’s history, culture, and charm by simply strolling its streets or taking one of many walking tours available.
We hope to see you soon!
The construction of the Old Adobe Mission represents a story of a religious and cultural commitment that transformed a community. To see the Old Adobe Mission for yourself, visit us at 3817 N Brown Ave. It is a great tourist spot for the general public.
Scottsdale's Oldest Church
Building the Mission
The Old Adobe Mission originated as Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church and built by hand by the Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale in the late 1910s. It was designed by Robert T. Evans in a Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style similar to others he had seen in Sonora and New Mexico.
More than 14,000 adobe bricks were used for the construction. They were each made from a blend of native clay, silt, sand, straw, dung, and water. They weighed 50 pounds and were carried and placed by hand.
Grandvell Shumaker drew up the blueprints and helped the men read them as construction began, and Bérnabe Herrera, a tinsmith and OLPH's first catechist, handcrafted all of the Mission's 15 stained-glass panes using discarded stained glass from St. Augustine's Cathedral in Tucson.
Completing the Church
The women from the community also assisted by organizing the advertising and fundraising and providing on-site workers with food, water, and most of all, encouragement. Doña Dolores Rivera de Ochoa, the treasurer of the Catholic Society, collected donations to help build the church, which was completed in the fall of 1933.
In 1949, it became a parish, and it served its community until 1956 when the parish outgrew the building and moved into a larger church at Miller Road and 2nd Street.
Becoming a Historic Site
In 2000, the City of Scottdale's Historic Preservation Commission contacted OLPH regarding placement of the Mission on its Historic Register. Rev. Thomas Hever, the pastor of OLPH, made the decision to preserve the old church, and in 2001, the City of Scottsdale officially placed the Mission on its Register of Historic Buildings.
Restoration efforts began in 2002 with a grant obtained from the Arizona State Parks' Historic Preservation Heritage Fund.
Raising Money for Renovations
In 2013, the Mission celebrated its 80th anniversary. In 2014, with restorations 75% complete, the Mission kicked off a capital campaign to complete the remaining renovations.
A Place of Serenity
Today, the Old Adobe Mission continues to represent a true, historic monument of faith. Its splendor is forever captured in the simplicity of its design, and its quiet, majestic beauty continues to call out to anyone seeking a peaceful place for prayer, contemplation, meditation, and serenity.
1930 - 1949
- 1931: The Mexican community begins to collect donations to build a new church using Robert T. Evans design and Grandvell Shumaker's blueprints
- 1932: The church is named Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Mission
- 1933: The church is completed, and Mass is celebrated by Rev. James Davis on October 15th
- 1940s: The wooden box altar used by visiting priests is replaced with an altar from All Saints Church in Tucson
- 1949: The church becomes a parish on November 25th with Rev. James Mulvihill as the first pastor
1950 - 1979
- 1950s: Guadalupe and Miguel Dominguez donate a hand-carved statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- 1952:
Rev. Eugene Maguire is named the second pastor
- 1953:
The community celebrates the Miracle of the Roses pageant with a parade and a play recreating the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego in Mexico on December 13, 1531. Over 7,000 people, including governors and ambassadors, attended the annual festivities
- 1956: To accommodate a growing parish, a larger church and school are opened at 2nd Street and Miller Road
- 1957:
The original church is used by various organizations, including Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, and catechism classes
- 1967:
The last Miracle of the Roses is held by the Mexican community
- 1977:
The original church is leased to the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra
- 1978: The third and current OLPH Church opens at Miller Road and Main Street
Business 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
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