California Missions

I've had a new article posted to the "Franciscans in The Americas Web site. Go to www.stfrancis.clas.asu. Click on the "Science and Culture tab" then Click on "Historical Events" You will find an article by me on "How a Band of Franciscan Monks Kept the Russians out of California" Give me your thoughts

Mission La Purisima

La Purisima was chosen as a job site for the CCC in 1934. Not only were original materials used in the rehabilitation, but original tools and building methods.
Because it is maintained as a State Park many consider La Purisima one of the most "authentic" of all the missions.  The typical soldiers barracks, attached to most of the missions is faithfully recreated  as are looms, candle making and leather shops.On certain holidays "re-enacters" in period dress give demonstrations of the crafts.

 The looms produced clothe of the very highest quality, which was much in demand in the territory.

Mission La Purisima

The eleventh mission. Sometimes called "the Linear Mission" because it was not built in the usual quadrangle form. The buildings were laid out in a long line. No one is really sure why. May have been nothing other than a streak of independence from a young priest who had vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but not conformity.

Purisima is one of the two California Missions which is operated as a State Park.

 

Mission Santa Barbara

Tabernacle at Mission Santa Barbara. A beautiful example of liturgical art done by an anonymous Chumash. The tabernacle is crafted of abalone shell and mother of pearl and is a stunning example of the artistry of the natives of the area. Two hundred years ago a member of the congregation donated their artistic efforts to the church which was being built. It survives to this day.

The priest who designed Mission Santa Barbara borrowed liberally from the works of Vitruvius, a first century Roman architect in designing and decorating Mission Santa Barbara. Thus we have, in 21st century California an 18th century church, designed by a Spanish priest, and decorated with first century pagan symbols honoring Jupiter, the Roman god of lighting.

Mission Santa Barbara

Mission Santa Barbara. The only twin towered mission. Also the only mission continuously occupied by the Franciscans, from its founding to date.  Barbara is the patron saint of both Architects and Artillerymen. Interesting when you realize that the objective of one is to erect beautiful structures and of the other to blow them up! Why this odd combination? The stories are explained fully in my book: Lands Never Trodden

The long arched colonnade, so symbolic of the California Missions

Mission San Buenaventura

Mission San Buenaventura "The Mission by the Sea" The ninth of the missions, and the last mission founded by Junipero Serra.

San Buenaventura was built practically on the beach at present day Ventura.After the 1812 earthquake one of the priests commented that the sea "disappeared" leaving fish and marine life flopping on the mud. Very quickly, the sea returned with a fury and almost swept the church itself away. He was undoubtedly witnessing a Tsunami, but of course they were not so named, or probably even recognized as a consequence of the earthquake at that time.

The statue of St. Bonaventure above the tabernacle is much older than the church itself. It is believed it originally came from the Philippines, and is probably at least 400 years old. Bonaventure was actually given the name John at his baptism. Legend has it that as an infant he was cured from a serious illness by St. Francis himself who on seeing the child cured cried "O Buono Ventura" (Roughly oh what good luck) Since Bonaventure was born in 1221, and Francis died in 1226 it is indeed possible that this actually happened.

Mission Santa Clara

Again, Clare, with her monstrance occupies the central niche above the altar at the church named after her.

Interestingly Santa Clara is on the campus of the University of Santa Clara, a Jesuit institution. It was the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Spanish empire in 1767 which opened the door to the Franciscans founding the California Missions

The high narrow windows so typical of the early California Missions

Mission Santa Clara

Mission Santa Clara. The first Mission (but not the last) to be named after a woman. Clare of Assisi was a follower of Saint Francis and founded her own order, the Poor Clares. They still assist the poor of the world today. Clare is often depicted holding a Monstrance, which she is in this statue on the façade of the church.

Look carefully at the picture below. There are eight white crosses in front of the church. They represent the deaths of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter at the hands of the Salvadoran military in 1989. The dangers of missionary life are perhaps greater now than they were in the eighteenth century.
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Mission San Juan Capistrano

The church today is the original church which was built in 1776. When the huge three aisle church was built 20 years later, this church was abandoned and used as a hay storage area. When the 1812 earthquake destroyed that church this, more modest church was re-occupied and has been the church ever since. St. John of Capistrano, holding a Crusaders banner occupies the central place of honor above the altar. John was a famous military commander, but he was never a Crusader.

 

Capistrano's famous swallows, for centuries found these niches attractive as nesting sites. Of late they seem to prefer freeway overpasses.

San Juan Capistrano

 San Juan Capistrano is the Mission perhaps as famous for it's ruins as it is for the beautiful church which was originally built there. The ruins are all that remains of what was once the largest of all of the California Missions. An earthquake in 1812, in the middle of Mass collapsed the dome and killed 40 of the faithful. Rather than try to rebuild it the Franciscans re-occupied the original more humble building. The only Mission in the California Chain where we know for sure Junipero Serra Celebrated Mass

Cemetery Mission San Franciso de Assisi

For many years after the movie "Vertigo" was made people flocked to the Mission to see the grave Kim Novak visited in that movie. The cemetery at Mission San Francisco never contained "Carlotta's Grave." That was a prop Alfred Hitchcock devised for his movie. Hitchcock's prop was left in place for a long time since so many people came to see it. Finally though, historians and purists insisted that it be removed. Do not visit the Mission today expecting to see Carlotta's grave.
 The cemetery does though include the graves of many of early California's notables, including James P. Casey, a member of the city's Board of Supervisors who was hanged by a vigilante committee. So much for politicians who displeased the electorate in 1856!

 

 

Mission San Francisco de Assisi

Cemetery San Francisco de Assisi

 Mission San Francisco de Assisi. The only Mission with an "Official" nickname. The historical marker in front of the mission identifies it at "Mission Dolores." The mission was originally founded at the site of a small lake, now completely covered, which was discovered on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Dolores in Spanish) The mission is perhaps most famous for its graveyard. Kim Novak walked through this graveyard in the movie Vertigo, to leave flowers on Carlotta's grave.

The beams crossing the ceilings are single redwood tree trunks. They were decorated in a basket weave design. Basket weaving was one of the highest art forms the Native Miwoks had. It was they who built the church and they who decorated the beams to replicate their artistry

Interior San Francisco de Assisi

Mission San Luis Obispo

Main Aisle

 San Luis Obispo is the only "L" shaped mission. It has a design which seems to predate Vatican II dictates by 200 years. To the right of the altar, off the main aisle there is a second area for the congregation.

The mission was actually the site of an attack by John C. Fremont during the Mexican American War. Fremont had information that the mission was being occupied by Mexican soldiers. The mission was surrounded by American troops and much to Fremont's embarrassment was found to contain only monks, women and children hiding from the marauding Americans. To his credit, Fremont placed a guard around the mission to protect it from further attacks.


Seating area off the right of the main altar

Mission San Luis Obispo

Mission San Luis Obispo. The Fifth Mission.
Several unique features to this Mission. It is the only Mission where you pass directly under the bells as you enter.

It is one of the very few missions which has been situated on the same site from the day of its dedication until today.

 

Mission San Gabriel

 San Gabriel is the  only mission which has it's bell tower at the rear of the church. When the church was built the bell tower was in the more conventional location at the right front. An earthquake in 1812 destroyed that tower. You can still see the ruins, where the tower detached from the building. When the bells were re-hung they were put in a separate campanero at the left rear of the church.





Gabriel, the Archangel has the place of honor at the top of the altar. He is flanked by two famous Franciscans, Francis of Assisi, the first Franciscan, and Anthony of Padua.