The California Missions

Map of the 21 California Missions

Introduction to the Missions “Much of California’s history began with the Spanish Missions. The chain of twenty-one missions along California’s El Camino Real (“The Royal Highway”) represents the first arrival of Non-Native Americans to California. The life of the California Native Americans was forever changed. In addition to Christianity, the missions brought many other things to California such as livestock, fruits, flowers, grains, and industry. This was the start of the civilization we live in today. However as a result of the arrival of the Spanish , many Native Americans lives were lost. You are about to preview a very brief history of each California Mission, which tells about the History of California.”

Mission San Diego de Alcala First Mission Founded on July 16, 1769 by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Didacus de Alcalá Oldest mission 1st mission in the “chain “ of missions that stretches 650 mi along the King’s Highway Presences of padres brought Christianity and changed Natives new way of life

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Second Mission Founded on June 3, 17770 by Father Junipero Serra Named after Saint Charles Borromeo Believed to be the most beautiful mission of all Used as headquarters for the California Missions Moved to Carmelo away from where the Native Americans recided

Mission San Antonio de Padua Third Mission Founded on July 14, 1771 by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Anthony Native Americans accepted padres gifts of beads and cloth in return for their seeds and acorns harvested. In 1773 it was moved to Los Robles Valley (better water supply) Abandoned from 1882-1928

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel Fourth Mission Founded on September 8, 1771 by Father Pedro Cambon and Father Angel Somera Named for Archangel Gabriel Most prosperous mission, but most difficult to handle Crowded with military (behavior problem) In 1775 was moved to “The Queen of the Mission” (Wheat & large crops of corn and beans)

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Fifth Mission Founded on September 1, 1772 by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Luis, Bishop of Toulouse Marks halfway point of the 21 California Missions Located near a Valley of Bears (used to feed people from other missions)

Mission San Francisco de Asis Sixth Mission Founded on June 26, 1776 by Father Francisco Palou Named for Saint Francis of Assisi Also known as Mission Dolores Damp weather kept Native Americans away Over 5,000 Americans died of the measles In 1817 a hospital mission was opened in San Rafael where they could recuperate

Mission San Juan Capistrano Seventh Mission Founded on November 1, 1776 by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint John of Capistrano, Italy Called the “Jewel of the Missions” because it was the best known mission Famous for its beautiful gardens Oldest chapel in California

Mission Santa Clara de Asis Eighth Mission Founded on January 12, 1777 by Father Junipero Serra Name for Santa Claire de Assisi 1st mission named after a girl who was founder of the Poor Clare’s order on Nuns Moved three times because of flood of Guadalupe River 1818 moved because of severe earthquake

Mission San Buenaventura Ninth Mission Founded on March 31, 1782 by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Bonaventure Should have been 3rd mission, but was postponed for twelve years Prosperity of this mission came from irrigation provided by the 7 mile long aqueduct that brought water from Ventura River

Mission Santa Barbara Tenth Mission Founded on December 4, 1786 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Saint Barbara First mission founded by Father Fermine Francisco de Lasuen There were over 200 rows of houses for the natives built next to the mission

La Purisima Conception Eleventh Mission Founded on December 8, 1787 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for “The Immaculate Concepcion of Mary the Most Pure” Prosperity from tireless work of Father Marino Payeras. He served for 19 years In December 21, 1812 a severe earthquake destroyed the mission

Mission Santa Cruz Twelfth Mission Founded on August 28, 1791 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for the Sacred Cross Built on gentle slopes that are surrounded by redwood trees Settlers that arrived from Guadalajara, Mexico were criminals, and raided the mission’s crops and antagonized the Native Americans.

Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad Thirteenth Mission Founded on October 9, 1791 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Our Lady of Solitude Salinas river allowed for irrigation to grow crops, and live stock herding Climate drew native Americans away Took six years before the church was built

Mission San Jose Fourteenth Mission Founded on July 11, 1797 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Saint Joseph First of five missions built in a 13 month period (located at a days travel walking El Camino Real) Known as location for Runaway Christianized Native Americans and hostile tribes Served as base for military operations for the Natives who resented the missionaries

Mission San Juan Bautista Fifteenth Mission Founded on June 24, 1797 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for John the Baptist Founded fourteen days after the thirteenth mission Sits on top of San Andreas Fault Earthquake destroyed it on October 1798, a larger one was built after

Mission San Miguel Arcangel Sixteenth Mission Founded on July 25, 1797 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Saint Michael the Archangel Filled up quickly with Native Americans in the area Fifteen Native children were baptized the day the mission was founded Interior was adorned by artist from Spain

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana Seventeenth Mission Founded on September 8, 1797 by Father Fermine Lausen Produced hides, tallow, soap, cloth, and livestock Became so famous that it was known as “long building” of El Camino Real Arrival of new settlers decreased the population of Native Americans In 1923 it became a church again

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia Eighteenth Mission Founded on June 13, 1798 by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Louis IX King of France (1215-1270) Nicked named “King of the Missions” Largest and most populous of all missions Building covers six acres and the Native American population reached 2,700 at its peak

Mission Santa Ines Nineteenth Mission Founded on September 17, 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis Named for Saint Anges Last mission founded in Southern California, which completed the chain Miles of flourished land that helped it flourish 1812 great earthquake destroyed half of the mission

Mission San Rafael Arcangel Twentieth Mission Founded on December 14, 1817 by Father Vicente de Sarria Named for Saint Raphael the Archangel, patron of good health Was originally dedicated as the sub-mission Mission Dolores Served as a convalescent hospital for Christianized Native Americans

Mission San Francisco de Solano Twenty-first Mission Founded on July 4, 1823 by Father Jose Altimira Named for Saint Francis Solano, missionary to the Penivian Indians Last Northernmost California Mission Founded after Mexico’s Independence from Spain Only mission founded without prior approval from the church Flourished vineyards