Both Churches at Bac and Caborca underwent their share of damage over the years, although Bac suffered considerably less than Caborca. When the Franciscans left in the 1840’s and Bac abandoned by the clergy it was still cared for by natives in the area. An earthquake in 1887 left much of the façade damaged and in 1939 the bell tower was struck by lightening. Over all Bac went through some destructive events but was ultimately protected and cared for by the Church and the Tohono O’odham people on whose land it is situated. Photographs in the collection by H. Watkins taken in 1881 show that only 2 of the estipite columns had fallen from the portal at this time. Another image shot by Dinwiddie in 1894 shows damage to the facade from 1887 earthquake; the mortuary and atrium walls have fallen and only 3 columns remain surrounding the portal and facade. The non dated Arizona Historical Society photo taken before the 1907 restoration shows that the estipite columns were simply carved plaster over bricks, and not stone, which likely contributed to their destruction in the 1887 earthquake. (Polzer, 1998)
Caborca suffered a much more violent history than Bac, due to human conflicts as well as natural disasters such as floods. As at Bac, the Franciscans left in 1840 but the church here was left without the protection of the loyal congregation tfound at Bac. Flooding was always a major issue and produced much damage to the buildings. Photographs from 1914 show a large part of the rear of the church destroyed by flooding and by 1935, a photograph by George Grant taken during a field survey of the area shows entire back end of the church completely destroyed. It was considered miraculous that the dome survived. By the 1950's the entire apse, south transept and nave had been taken by flood waters. (Pickens, 1935)
Another photograph in the collection shows how high the Rio Asuncion/Rio Concepcion could flood as the tower of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion is the only thing visible above the water line.
Caborca was also damaged by violent conflicts that marked the area including the Crabb Massacre and the Anti-Christero movement in which all but 2 interior sculptures were burned. (Roca, 1967)
The Crabb massacre occurred in 1857 and depending on who is telling the story, a group of American colonists led by politician Henry Crabb entered Sonora, either illegally or by invitation of the rebel leader Ignacio Pesquiera. Pesquiera had reportedly invited them to colonize the area in order to gain their assistance in his fight against federal conservatives. Having already taken the territory by the time the Crabb party arrived, Pesquiera denied their invitation and ordered them all shot. What ensured was the 8 day battle of Caborca which ended with the Mexicans and their native allies holed up in the Church. The Americans blew the door off, but later ending up captured and executed. The bullet holes in the façade remain where shots hit the church during the battle. (Pickens, 1935)
The church suffered another blow in the 1930’s Anti-Christero movement which saw the federal government seeking to limit the power of the Catholic church. The Christeros, or religious population, organized to fight for the right to practice their religion and things became violent. It was during this period that the church at Caborca was broken into and sculptural figures removed and burned in front. Of the original 11 religious sculptures placed in the church, only two that survived due to the fact that they were at a seamstress’s home where she was repairing their clothing. The Virgin Mary still stands in the main altar after a $4000 renovation. The other, a statue of the baby Jesus was found in a wash shortly after the attack and it was recognized as being from the church. The family who found it still has it and ihas stated that it intends to keep the figure until asked for its return. (Duarte, 2009)