Five Historic Missions in California, still in use.

In 1492 Columbus discovered the new world, and along with the arrival of the Spanish armies, came their religion. Between 1769 and 1823 the Franciscan Order of the Catholic church built Missions throughout - what was then referred to as "Alta California". It was the final push of the Spanish expansion to colonize and convert the pagans of the new world to their faith.

The Missions were established as religious and military outposts to control Spain's holdings in the new world, and to educate and make tax-paying citizens of the indigenous people. The natives were required to learn spanish and convert to the Catholic religion.

In all 21 Missions were built, comprising "California's Historic Mission Trail", they were all located - on or near, what is today known as Highway 101, but was originally "El Camino Real" - The Royal Road - which was the only road between the civilized outposts. The road was identified with the Missions, because the Padres maintained the roadways and offered lodgings to all who traversed it. It also served as the north-south Stagecoach route, after California became a state in 1850. In 1920 bronze mission bells were placed along the highway to let motorists know they were travelling the "historic El Camino Real".

Most of the 21 Missions were founded by the Spanish Friar "Junipero Serra", they have been renovated, and maintained, over the years, and are still used for church services and Museums, by the residents of the cities that they are in. Most of them are open and visitors can visit daily.

1. The first Mission was built in San Diego in 1769 - Mission Basillica San Diego de Alcala' - it was built in an area inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians. Both the Mission and the surrounding area were named for a spaniard known as San Diego, it was the site of the first Christian burial, and also the regions first public execution in 1778. Father Luis Jayne - California's first Christian Martyr is entombed beneath the "chancel" floor. Tthe church that stands in this location, today, is the 4th to be built here, and is a National Historic Landmark.

This Missions, also has the distinction, of being the start of the Mission Trail in California which began in July 1769. Along with Father Serra, Fathers Palou and Parron also helped dig a eight foot hole in the area, near the mouth of the San Diego River, where they planted a large cross, and suspended a bell from the limb of a nearby tree.

Today, there are a trio of bells, which ring every Sunday before mass, bougainvilleas cascade over the adobe walls surrounding the gardens and California's first historic cemetry. It is also an active parish serving the Diocese of San Diego, and was designated a "minor bascilica" by Pope Paul VI in 1976.

Anyone interested in the Missions can visit Mission San Diego de Alcala', it is near the Intersection of Interstate 8 and 15 in the San Diego city limits. Self-guided Tours of the buildings and grounds are available for a small donation. Address: 10818 San Diego Mission Rd., San Diego, 92108-2429, Phone:619-281-8449

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, more commonly referred to as "San Luis Rey", is the 18th Mission built and was founded in 1798. I included it as the next Mission, as it is north of San Diego, off Interstate 5 - just east of Oceanside on State Highway 76.

It is one of the largest of the missions, and was known as the King of the Missions. It was named for Louis IX, the crusading King of France - shaped like a cross - it was dedicated on the Feast of St. Anthony in 1798, by Father Lasuen. It is said to be the most architecturally graceful of the California Missions, and was restored according to the original plans and designs.

The Luiseno Indians loved this mission and during it's hayday - in the 1830's - over 2,800 Indians lived within it's boundaries because of their deep devotion to the Padre - Father Peyri. When he was told to return to return to Spain in 1832, they followed him all the way to the harbor in San Diego, begging him not to go. Two young Indian boys accompanied him to Spain, one of them Pablo Tac became a priest and wrote the story of his life.

No services were held at the mission for 46 years, and it was not until 1895, that restoration of the Mission began. Today this is a working Mission, the gardens include a fruit orchard, where California's first pepper tree still grows. The church seats 1,000, and is adjacent to a six-acre enclosed square, that includes a sunken garden, an elaborate stone terrace, and a mortuary chapel - which is still in use - the Museum is open to the public. It is located at 4050 Mission Ave., San Luis Rey, CA. Phone: 760-757-3651

While Mission San Juan Capistrano was the 7th mission built, it is the next going north on Interstate 5, and the only Mission in Orange County. The mission founded in 1776 and was named for a Crusader "Saint John of Capistrano" and was designed in the shape of a cross. Built of stone, it once held seven domes and a bell tower that was so tall it could be seen from ten miles away. The 1812 earthquake severly damaged the mission whose ruins have been preserved by archaeologists and engineers. Ivy covers the broken walls, willow trees sway over the old fountins and Birds of Paradise flourish in the gardens. The Serra Chapel which was built in 1777, is the oldest building still in use in California - and the only surviving church where Father Serra said mass. Restoration to the chapel included repairing the roof which was raised to allow the inclusion of a window, to allow natural light into the chapel. The centerpiece of the chapel is it's spectsacular "Retalbo" which is a backdrop for the Altar. The chapel still serves the Catholic community with special masses and weddings.

Mission San Juan Capistrano was a very successful mission, by 1796 the Friars had converted over 1000 indians, who lived in or around the Mission compound. In the Mission cemetry there are over 2000 former residents - mostly Juaneno Indians - burried in unmarked graves. The ruins of the "great stone church", which was almost levelled by an earthquake in 1812, can still be seen and is considered an architectural wonder. The mission is best known for the return of the swallows, celebrated each year on St. Joseph's Day, March 19, when the "cliff swallows" return to their nests in the ancient walls. The Mission is open daily to visitors, volunteers take large groups on guided tours, recounting the history of the Mission, and it is a favorite place for "school outings" having been visited by over 80,000 school children each year. In summer, outdoor music events are held on the Mission Grounds on certain days. In 1984, a modern church was built north of the mission complex, designed after the old stone church. The Mission is at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano; Phone: 949-248-2049. As an added note of interest, I live 20 minutes from the Mission.

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel was founded September 8 1771, and was named for the Archangel Gabriel. The Mission differs from the others as it is constructed from sand, stone and mortar, instead of Adobe. Designed by Father Antonio Cruzado, who came from Cordoba Spain, it has a strong Moorish style of architecture - capped buttresses and tall narrow windows - makes it unique among the 21 missions.

Known as the "Pride of the Missions", San Gabriel supplied the other missions with the necessities of life from its lands - which stretched from the ocean to the mountains - where residents made their own soap, candles from tallow, leather from cattle hides, and wine from their own vineyards. It was from this mission that eleven families, left in September 1781, to found "El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles. To the north of the Mission is the Cemetry where members from many pioneer families are buried, as well as over 6,000 Indiians, from the Gabrielino Indian Tribe who lived and worked at the Mission. The Camino Real Bell, near the church, marks the "Kings Highway" which linked all the California Missions.

On July 30, 1994 the San Gabriel Mission District was dedicated, visitors can take the "historic walk" that begins here, the place where the Los Angeles began over 200 years ago. The titles along the historic walk were created by fourth grade students - from local schools - and tell the story of San Gabriel.

The Mission's Chapel was used as a Parish church from 1862 to 1908, when restoration began on the Mission, which was damaged in 1987 by an earthquake. Visitors can visit the church, museum, and grounds, where the exhibits include - mission relics, books and religious artifacts. There are six bells - on the bell wall - the oldest bells were cast in Mexico City in 1795, the largest bell weighs over a ton, and dates back to 1830, it was used, for over a century, to ring the Angelus - morning, noon and night.Mission San Gabriel Archangel is located at 428, South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA. it is open daily from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Phone: (626) 457-3048

Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786, the 10th of the California Missions. The was often referred to as the "Queen of the Missions" due to its architectural beauty. The Mission is on a rise between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and is the only one, in the chain of California Missions, that has remained under the Francisca Friars since it's founding. The mission's name was taken from a legend of Saint Barbara - a girl who was said to have been beheaded by her fath, for following the christian religion.

The early buildings consisted of three chapels, built in the early years, each one larger than the previous one. After the great erthquake in 1812, which destroyed the existing buildings, construction was begun, on the present building which was dedicated in 1820. Then again in 1925, an earthquake damaged the towers, which were rebuilt in 1927. Many elements of the "water system" built by the Chumash Indians, including two resovoirs, an aqueduct, and a filter house, still remain to this day; also the grain mill; and the original fountain, which stands near the entrance to the Mission. In 1833 "Mission Santa Barbara" became the headquarters for the California Missions, and it became the depository for some 3,000 original documents. The Mission Library is the oldest in the State of California, and still remains under the Franciscian Order. As the Center for the Franciscians the mission served as an "Apostolic college" from 1854 to 1885, and as a college for laymen from 1869 to 1877, thus making it the first institution of education in Santa Barbara.

Present day Mission Santa Barbara still serves the community as a Parish church. visitors can take one of the daily Self-guided tours, which cost $4.00 for adults. Docent tours for groups and school children are operate by appointment The mission is located at 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara; Phone: 805-682-4149.

A listing of the 21 California Missions can be found at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22722. Learn more about the the humble beginnings of the stately adobes that can be seen today, a dynamic chapter of California's history. From San Diego to Los Angeles, the historic highway is now known as Interstate 5; from Santa Clara to San Francisco it is called State Highway 82, north of Santa Francisco, Highway 101, again picks up the trail of the Missions at San Rafael, and Highway 37 leads from there to the last Mission at Sonoma - San Francisco Solano, the 21st Mission founded in 1823 by "Father Jose Altimira".