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California Missions and their Saints

The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to colonize the Pacific Coast region, and gave Spain a valuable toehold in the frontier land. The settlers introduced European livestock, fruits, vegetables, cattle, horses and ranching into the California region; however, the Spanish occupation of California also brought with it serious negative consequences to the Native American populations with whom the missionaries came in contact. The government of Mexico shut down the missions in the 1830s. In the end, the mission had mixed results in its objective to convert, educate, and "civilize" the indigenous population and transforming the natives into Spanish colonial citizens. Today, the missions are among the state's oldest structures and the most-visited historic monuments. There are 21 missions.

Spanish Name

English Name

La Pur�sima de Concepc�on

The Immaculate Conception

Nuestra Se�ora de Soledad

Our Lady of Solitude

San Antonio de Padua

San Buenaventura San Buenaventura

San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

San Diego de Alcalďż˝

San Fernando Rey de Espa�a

San Francisco de As�s

San Francisco Solano

San Gabriel Arc�ngel

San Josďż˝ de Guadalupe

San Juan Bautista

San Juan Capistrano

San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

San Luis Rey de Francia

San Miguel Arc�ngel

San Rafael Arc�ngel

Santa Barbara

Santa Clara de As�s

St. Claire of Assisi

Santa Cruz

Holy Cross

Santa In�s

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