Tumacácori Church - Choir Loft

The choir loft collapsed in the late 1800s.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Tumacácori mission grounds

Facing the front door of the church, you can see where the choir loft once stood. Notice the entrance to the balcony high on the left wall, and the ruined bases of the two pillars that supported the arch below it.  

Music played an important role in mission life. Tumacácori likely supported anywhere from eight to ten choir members, both men and women, at a given time. There were also musicians who played instruments such as oboe, flute, and zither (guitar), adding flourish to the sound of the Masses and other religious ceremonies held here.  

Singers needed to memorize up to twenty-five songs for the community’s Masses, services, and processions. Despite the fact that few could read or write, they learned and performed hymns and kyries in Latin, Greek, Spanish, and O’odham. You are welcome to sing a few bars of your favorite song here. The excellent acoustics of the building are no accident - the sound, along with the height, color, and beauty of the space, were designed to inspire feelings of awe, and a sense of power and majesty.