On a sign in front of this beautiful building: " Not only was PIMA MISSION a great spiritual center but a great patriotic center as well. Heading up the example of missionary Charles Cook many Pima Indians joined United States military units both during the early Indian Wars but during World War I and World War II. Five heroes are Lt. Col. Dirk Lay ( WWII), Col. James Patrick Perkins (Civil War), Pvt. Mathew Juan (first Arizonan and first Native American killed in WWI), Cp. Charles H. Cook (Civl War) and Cpl. Ira Hayes."
Cpl. Hayes, a Pima Indian raised in Sacaton, was one of the men who raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. Cpl. Hayes's mother sang in the choir in this church and Ira was baptized here. Cpl. Hayes is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places