MISSION SANTA BARBARA

By: Joe Smith

Founding of the Mission

Mission Santa Barbara was founded by Father Fermin Lasuen on December 4th, 1786.

It was named in honor of a fourth century martyr, Saint Barbara, because it was founded on her feast day.

Location

The mission sits on a hill above much of the city of Santa Barbara.

The exact location for the Mission was chosen because of its proximity to water resources, which the Spanish had learned was critical for the success of a mission.

Interesting Facts

Mission Santa Barbara is the only one with two bell towers.

It’s water system is still used by the city of Santa Barbara.

It was the tenth of the twenty one missions that have been founded in California.

The official literature calls Mission Santa Barbara  "Queen of the Missions for its graceful beauty."

Daily Life The principal products of the Mission field were wheat, barley,

corn, beans, and peas. Orange and olive trees were planted and vines were cultivated.

Water was brought by a stone aqueduct from the mountain creeks to irrigate the fields and for domestic use.

Mission Santa Barbara had cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, mules and horses in great number.

The Indians made adobes, tiles, shoes, and woolen garments, learned the trades of carpenter and mason, and became herdsmen and farmers.

They also leaned to sing and play European instrumental music. Church services were accompanied by an Indian choir and instrumental ensemble of violins, cellos, woodwinds, and brasses rather than an organ.

Chumash Indians

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Five California missions were established in Chumash territory, which was from Malibu to Paso Robles. The Chumash Indians lived and worked on the Santa Barbara mission when it was founded in 1786.

Problems or Issues There was an earthquake in 1812 which destroyed all the

buildings at the Mission. Construction of the current Mission began immediately and it

was completed and dedicated in 1820. The towers of the Mission were considerably damaged in

another earthquake in 1925, but were rebuilt in 1927. The appearance of the inside of the church has not been altered significantly since 1820.

The Mission Today The Mission continues to be the chief cultural

and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara.

Home to a community of Franciscan friars, the Mission also has a retreat center with guest rooms, conference rooms, a fully equipped commercial kitchen and dining room, a beautiful church with a large and active parish, a museum and gift shop, a cemetery and mausoleum, and ten acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

What the Mission looks like today

Bibliography

http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/missioncalifornia/a/barbara.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Santa_Barbara

http://www.santabarbara.com/points_of_interest/mission/

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/ate/reason-choosing-site-santa-barbara-mission.html