Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church (Pearce, Arizona)

The church was constructed sometime during 1916–1917, and is part of the post-territorial adobe revival period.^[3] In early 20th century America, there were typically one of three types of churches: Parish, Mission, or Station. Parish churches had a building and a resident priest; Mission churches had a building, but not a resident priest, instead being served by a visiting priest from a nearby parish; while Station churches had neither a resident priest nor a building, instead the visiting priest would hold services in whatever building/space was available. As of 1900, Pearce was a station of Benson. Over the years their status changed to stations of Nogales and Solomonville. After construction of this church, it became a mission of Solomonville, then in 1918 its mission was changed to Tombstone.^[5] The church was little used during the 1930s, and little is known of it during the 1940s and 1950s, but by 1961 it was no longer in use. When the town of Sunsites was established nearby in 1961, the area's population began to increase, and by 1963 the church was back in service. It remained in service until 1969 when increasing numbers prompted the construction of St. Jude's, about four miles to the north. The church's bell was transferred to the new structure. The Diocese of Tucson sold the building to private parties.^[6]

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