Junípero Serra & The California Missions Junípero Serra & California Missions Samantha Perez Professor Adrian Andrade Span 308 – 90 CSUMB Spring11 Mini Research Project February 25, 2011 At the top left is a picture of Junípero Serra and under the title is a picture of one of the missions. Samantha Perez Professor Adrian Andrade Span 308 – 90 CSUMB Spring11 Mini Research Project February 25, 2011

Who was Junípero Serra Born on November 24th, 1713 on the island of Majorca. His birth name - Miguel José Became a monk at 16 at the order of St. Francis and became known as Junípero Serra. At 36 he was determined to become a missionary in New Spain. In 1749 he set sail for the City of Mexico and in 1767 he was put in charge of the missions that were to be placed in California. Junípero Serra was born on November 24th, 1713 on the island of Majorca, which is part of the kingdom of Spain, in a small town called Petra. His baptismal name was Miguel José but when he became a monk at the age of 16 he became Junípero. He joined the order of St. Francis where he earned his education. There he was appointed lecturer upon philosophy and became a noted preacher. He was so well known he was often invited to visit larger towns at his home island, Majorca, to preach. When he was 36 he decided he wanted to be a missionary in New Spain so he set sail in 1749. On his trip to New Spain, eventually making way to the City of Mexico, he met a few Franciscan Monks who he later went to California with. At the age of 54 he was appointed, as well as Gaspar de Portóla y de Rovira, by Jose de Gálvez to help colonize Alta California by establishing missions.

What were the missions Multiple countries were trying to take control of Alta California. To establish a solid control over the land Spain created the missions to create little towns. They are generally close to the coast and El Camino Real. The missions were also put in place in order to convert the Native Americans to Christianity or Catholicism, which is the most common belief among the Spanish. On top of fighting for the land of Alta California with the natives Spain also had other countries trying to take the land. Wanting to colonize before anyone else could take the land the Spanish crown decided to put José de Gálvez in charge of colonizing Alta California. Gálvez then decided to put two men in charge of a “Scared Expedition”, as he called it. Those two men were Gaspar de Portolá y de Rovira and Junípero Serra. The missions are generally close to the coast and el camino real. El camino real is roughly traced by the 101 freeway today but before it was the best route to get from one town to the next. Each mission is about a days travel away from the next one. Having the missions close to the coast encouraged trade and people to settle. There were often towns surrounding each mission. The missions also had another purpose and that was to try to convert the Natives to Christianity or Catholicism, which was the popular belief among the Spanish.

Missions There are 21 missions in total. First mission to be established was San Diego de Alcalá in 1769. Last mission was Sonoma’s San Francisco Solano in 1823. In total there were 21 missions established along Alta California. The first mission was founded in San Diego on July 16th, 1769 and called San Diego de Alcalá. It was founded by Junipero Serra who also founded the first 9 missions. The others were founded by other missionaries for example there was Father Lasuen who founded the mission in Santa Barbara in 1786 and Father Jose Altimira who founded the last and furthest north mission San Francisco de Solano on July 4th, 1823. Most missions have now suffered many damages due to fires, earthquakes, other natural disasters and neglect. Luckily they have been restored and some even still hold services regularly.

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