1. The California Missions

2. Map of the 21 California Missions

3. 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.”

4. 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

5. Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
Second Mission
Founded on June 3, 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Eighteenth Mission
Founded on June 13, 1798 by Father Fermine Lausen
Named for Louis IX King of France ( )
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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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