San Juan Capistrano Mission

The San Juan Capistrano was the 7th mission. It was initially dedicated by Father Lasuen in 1775. Shortly after dedication it was abandoned because of the Indian revolt in San Diego. Father Serra re-dedicated the mission in 1776.

The mission was very successful and by 1796 had outgrown the small chapel built in 1776. Construction started on a new church. The large stone church with 7 domes took over ten years to build. It was built in the shape of a Roman Cross. Only six years after completion, the church was destroyed by an earthquake. Only broken pillars and arches were left standing.

In 1833, after secularization, the mission economy quickly fell apart. The mission went into private hands. In 1920, restoration started. Today the mission is a very popular tourist attraction.

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Other related pages:

• Missions of California Index
• Books on California Missions
• History of the United States Timeline

On this Page:

• Location
• The Mission