California’s first church Mission San Diego was founded in 1769 was Spanish padre Junipero Serra. Hi, I'm Veronica Hill here at California Travel Expert. Let’s tour California’s first mission and beautiful Mission Valley, San Diego.
Set among billowing ponds, colorful rose gardens and red bougainvillea Mission San Diego is located on San Diego Mission Road approximately one mile east of Qualcomm Stadium settled by Junipero Serra the mission now a national historic landmark was run by Padre Luis Jayme.
On November 4, 1775, resistant Indians inside of the midnight riot rallying hundreds of nearby villagers to burn down the mission and murder Jayme. Across marks the approximate spot where Jayme, California’s first murder was killed. He’s buried under the altar of the mission’s church which was built in 1813 and restored in 1931.
A highlight at the mission is the original monastery. Along the corridors a series of statue pays tribute to all 21 mission and their leaders while the meditation garden is home to lovely plants and a fountain placed on the side of the original cistern. You’ll also find a “ramada” used by the padres as a shaded patio for adobe bricks at the mission.
The five bell campanario once signaled when it was turn to work, eat, or pray. It’s July, all five bells are rang in unison to celebrate the mission’s anniversary. Inside the museum you can see Father’s Serra original crucifix and baptismal documents along with the Bibles, robes and Indian artifacts from the mission period.
My favorite spot is the charming Saint Francis Chapel where you’ll find raised choir stalls and an altar dating back to the 1300s. Today the mission remains an active Catholic church with two Sunday masses held in English and Spanish. Whether you’re a devout Catholic or a history buff this historic mission offers a fascinating glimpse of life in Alta, California.
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