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.