Vista de la Montaña United Methodist Church
Tucson, Arizona

The church motto, “Once a missile site, now a church with a mission,” was selected precisely because Vista de la Montaña is sitting on top of what was once a Titan missile silo. And it wasn’t that long ago.

Once a Missle Site

Now a Church with a Mission

By 1981, the Cold War had ended and the SALT II treaty had been negotiated and signed. As a result, Russians and Americans agreed to dismantle their respective missile sites.

Titan missile site number nine was located near Catalina, Arizona on a 10-acre piece of land that just happened to have a wonderful view of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Not much of a benefit for a missile site, but … well, we’re getting ahead of our story.

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Naturally, with the missile site dismantled, the land was put up for sale. Meantime, in 1990, Vista de la Montaña was founded with 60 people at the Coronado Middle School, across the highway from the missile site. By 1992, Vista was working hard to get itself established in this growing area northwest of Tucson, and the missile site land was still unsold. Thanks to its founding pastor and a willing congregation, the decision was made to bid on the missile site. Things fell into place, and in 1994, Vista de la Montaña United Methodist Church purchased the missile site and began efforts to bring in the first modular building.

Vista soon outgrew its modular units, which had grown to three, and by November 2001, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to launch the construction of a permanent structure. Construction of the new church building was completed in mid-2002.

The first service was held on Consecration Sunday, September 8, 2002. The congregation now numbers more than 375 members, from the communities of Catalina, Oracle, Oracle Junction, Oro Valley, Rancho Vistoso, Saddlebrooke, Sun City, and Tucson.

CLICK HERE for Photos of Titan Missle Site #9 …
See What Lies Beneath Our Church