MISSION SANTA BARBARA

MAI SIO LT N 220 SANT O: AB 1 La San AR g ta B arba una Str BARA ee ra, C TEL A9 t 310 (805 EPHON 5 ) 68 E 2-41 BY 49 M TOW ISS NSE ND MIS

December 4th, 1786

Issue No.: 10

Queen of the Missions

The History of Mission Santa Barbara

THE HEADLINERS
SAINT BARBARA, HER STORY

Welcome to Old Mission Santa Barbara, considered by many to be the loveliest of all the California Missions.

When people give names to person, place, or thing they give these things reality. Not to have a name mean something is no thing--it doesnt exist. The early Spanish explorers applied names to everything they discovered and, as it was customary for them, they gave the name of a saint...
Continued on Page 2 After the earthquake in 1925

HISTORY

Mission Santa Barbara was the tenth of the California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. It was established on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4th, 1786. Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuen raised the cross...
Continued on Page 2 Restoration of the church was complete in 1927 Current day picture of the mission

INTRODUCTION BY FATHER VIRGIL CORDANO, O.F.M.

For over two hundred years this mission has been blessed in serving the needs of differing people in a variety of ways. Like a queen surrounded by a royal court of kneeling hills, praying seas...
Continued on Page 2

The church building is similar to those built in the countryside of Mexico in the early 1800s.

Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 | 805.682.4713 | santabarbaramission.org

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Franciscans

Island of the Blue Dolphin

SANTA BARBARA, HER STORY

on whose feast day the discovery was made. Such was the case when a channel no one knew about off the California coast made its debut in history as Santa Barbara channel.
BY FATHER VIRGIL CORDANO, O.F.M.

...protecting islands, red-tiled roofs, and trees and owers of all colors, she has been many things over the years: a wellspring of Christian Indian life, a home for Franciscan Friars, a seminary for aspirants to the Franciscan order, a school for the laity, a parish church, a place of spiritual renewal, and an archive-library rich in recorded memories of her noble past. Those who stand before her admire her mingling of Hispanic, Roman, Grecian, and Moorish architecture. Those who walk through her doors contemplate her works of art and discover rest and hope in prayer.
HISTORY

very nearly destroyed her: the rst, in 1812, was the event they needed for the construction of a new stronger church; the second, in 1925, brought lots of damage and, once again, required a large amount of rebuilding. The Franciscan community at the Mission has always served as a guiding light and continuing source of spiritual renewal. The Franciscans have been a part of California colonial history from the very beginning. They have helped established much of the world we see today.
INDIANS OF SANTA BARBARA

COOL FACT

During the two centuries of her history, Mission Santa Barbara has undergone many changes. Three adobe churches were constructed here before the present church was built in 1820. Two major earthquakes

This was the most thickly settled area of native California, with about 15,000 natives living in Chumash Territory. Of all the indians who came under Spanish rule between San Diego and San Francisco after 1769, those of the Santa Barbara Channel area were the most numerous and most c u l t u r a l l y, a n d p ro b a b l y t h e b e s t documented. The Chumash were hunters and gatherers. The coming of the white man marked the beginning of the end for the Chumash, who has almost disappeared from diseases and natural causes.

Juana Maria, better known to history as "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas", was a Native American woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleo. She lived alone on San Nicolas Island from 1835 until her discovery in 1853. Scott O'Dell's popular children's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins was inspired by her story. Juana Maria is said to be buried in on the Mission Santa Barbara grounds. The exact location is unknown.

Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 | 805.682.4713 | santabarbaramission.org

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Events in the History of Mission Santa Barbara

1769: Portola expedition camped at Santa Barbara en route to Monterey. 1782: Presidio Santa Barbara founded, with Fray Serra raising the cross.

1786: Mission Santa Barbara founded by Fray Fermin Francisco Lasuen

1820: The restored Santa Barbara Mission dedicated after the earthquake of 1812. 1835: Mission secularized by the Mexican government. 1842: The rst Bishop of California took up residence at the Mission. 1856: Apostolic College founded at the Mission. 1903: Franciscan theological seminary begun here. 1915: First pastor of St. Barbaras parish appointed. 1927: Rededication of restored Mission church after earthquake of 1925.

El Camino Real Sign

The rst mission Father Fermin Franciscan de Lasuen founded was that of Santa Barbara. He chose as the site the top of a rising slope of land which looked over the valley and channel - perhaps the most striking and commanding site of all the 21 missions.

Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 | 805.682.4713 | santabarbaramission.org

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Some fun games about Mission Santa Barbara

Directions: Find the words hidden in the word search. Use the word bank on the left hand side. Directions: Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.

Word Bank: Mission Santa Barbara Spain Lasuen Mexico Franciscan Chumash

Hand painted picture of Mission Santa Barbara

Mission bell

Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 | 805.682.4713 | santabarbaramission.org