Mrs. DeRita Mrs. DiMaggio May, 2015 San Fernando Rey De Espana Mission Mrs. DeRita Mrs. DiMaggio May, 2015

SAN FERNANDO MISSION BEGINNINGS Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuen founded San Fernando Mission de Rey in 1797. It is the 17th mission in the chain. This mission is also called the San Fernando Mission and was named for St. Ferdinand, the King of Spain. It is located in the San Fernando Valley at 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd.

MISSION SAN FERNANDO’S NATIVE PEOPLE The native people were called Gabrielinos or Tongva. The Indians at the mission were taught various trades and skills, they were famous for their grapes and fruit trees. They also had a large trade in hides and tallow. At the peak there were more than 21,000 live stock as well as over 156,000 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, chickpeas, and broad beans.

The adobe mission was destroyed and rebuilt several times The adobe mission was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current mission is a replica of the original building that was destroyed by the earthquake in 1971. In 1842 a man from the mission discovered gold dust on the roots of a wild onion bulb. Many people dug up the missions adobe walls and floors to try and find more. A large bell hands in the belfry of the church at the mission. Events at the mission were signaled by the ringing of the mission bells. The bells would ring daily at 6:00 a.m. to summon everyone to morning Mass. INTERESTING FACTS

Life at the mission was challenging Life at the mission was challenging. During the early years the mission had trouble running on its own. It took many years for it to become established and support it’s own people by having enough crops and cattle to feed everyone. Strict work schedules were difficult to maintain. The morning bell would ring at 6:00 a.m. every morning summonsing everyone to morning Mass and prayer. Afterwards they would have a 45 minute breakfast and then everyone would work for the rest of the day. Mission Life

Gift Shop Entrance Today the mission is the Archival Center for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Historical Museum is open to the public on Monday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. MISSION TODAY

BIBLIOGRAPHY (1) California Missions Resource Center Website http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-fernando-rey.html (2) The Spanish Missions of California Website http://www.californias-missions.org/index.html (3) California Mission Guide: http://www.californiamissionguide.com/missions/mission-hills/ (4) Read, Write, Think Website http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/ (5) The California Missions Website: http://www.thecaliforniamissions.com/sanfern/sanfern.html

Mission Timeline

Architecture and Layout Chapel- small adobe & brick building built to hold religious ceremonies called Mass. Monjerio – where unmarried girls lived and were locked in at night. Convento – where the fathers lived Fountain – used for washing & laundry. The fancier the fountain- the more successful the mission. Cemetery This mission had 4 bells in their bell tower. Architecture and Layout