Old Mission Santa Barbara

Father Fermín de Lasuén, successor of Saint Junípero Serra, founded this mission on 4 December 1786, the feast of Saint Barbara. It was the tenth of the California missions. The native Chumash people built and lived at the mission. After the earthquake of 1812 destroyed the third adobe church, the present stone church was built between 1815 and 1820.

Its graceful façade, with a pediment and columns, was designed from a Latin edition of the Roman architect Vitruvius in the mission library. The twin bell towers, unique among the missions, look out over the city and the Pacific. It is called the “Queen of the Missions.”

Santa Barbara is the only mission that has remained in the care of the Franciscan friars without interruption since its founding. Its church has been in continuous use, and its cemetery holds the graves of some four thousand Chumash. The rose garden and fountain in front, and the museum and cloister garden behind, draw visitors from around the world.

Built

Founded 1786; present church 1815–1820

Style

Spanish colonial mission (Classical façade)

Where

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Map

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