Mission San Miguel
Arcángel is a quick Highway 101 exit eight miles north
of Paso Robles and Templeton on the Central California
Coastal region. Set amongst the farm land of a wine
growing region not far from the Lettuce Bowl of Salinas
and Monterey County, this mission is well worth a road
stop. Even during its renovation, you can still take
some great photos of the front of the building and see
how the little town of San Miguel is growing.
Founded on July 25, 1797
by Father Fermin Lasuen as California's 16th mission on
El Camino Real (The King's Highway), it was named for
Saint Michael the Archangel. The third mission founded
by Father Lasuen in the summer of 1797 was originally
constructed of adobe bricks and took approximately two
years to build. The church sanctuary interior included
artwork from Spain with an all-seeing eye of God painted
above the altar.
The neophytes were so
content here that even when, in 1831, in anticipation of
secularization, they were told that they were now free
to leave the mission, none did. They all chose to stay
with the padres. A few years later, in August 1834, the
mission was secularized and all the property was given
to the Native Americans. But without the guidance of the
padres, the mission soon fell into disrepair. By 1844
most of the neophytes had left and all of the livestock
was gone.
In 1846 all the mission property,
except the church, was sold into private hands. One of
the purchasers was William Reed, who along with his
family and servants, lived in the mission until they
were all murdered by a band of tramps looking for gold
to steal. The tramps were all later caught and executed.
When the church was finally put back into service,
in 1878, some restoration was begun. In 1928 it was
returned to the Franciscan's to be used as a monastery
and a parish church.
Mission San Miguel Arcángel.
Sixteenth Mission
Founded: July 25, 1797 by
Father Fermin Lasuen
Named for: Saint Michael the
Archangel
Location: on old U.S. Highway 101, 8 miles
north of the city of Paso Robles
The third
mission founded by Father Lasuen in the summer of 1797
was quickly filled with the many friendly Native
Americans in the area. Fifteen native children were
baptized on the same day the mission was founded.
Accompanying the padres were many neophyte
(Christianized Native Americans) families from other
missions that helped to quickly win the confidence of
the local natives.
For many years the padres kept
the natives busy making and drying large amounts of
adobe bricks to be used in a new large church. When the
stockpile of adobe bricks was large enough construction
began and was completed in just two years.
Although the exterior of the church was simple, the
interior was elaborately adorned by an artist from
Spain. Fortunately, this artwork has been preserved in
its original form. Scenes show false balconies and
pillars, archways, and imitation marble. Above the alter
is the "all-seeing eye of God" with rays of light
shining in all directions.
The neophytes were so
content here that even when, in 1831, in anticipation of
secularization, they were told that they were now free
to leave the mission, none did. They all chose to stay
with the padres. A few years later, in August 1834, the
mission was secularized and all the property was given
to the Native Americans. But without the guidance of the
padres, the mission soon fell into disrepair. By 1844
most of the neophytes had left and all of the livestock
was gone.
In 1846 all the mission property,
except the church, was sold into private hands. One of
the purchasers was William Reed, who along with his
family and servants, lived in the mission until they
were all murdered by a band of tramps looking for gold
to steal. The tramps were all later caught and executed.
When the church was finally put back into service,
in 1878, some restoration was begun. In 1928 it was
returned to the Franciscan's to be used as a monastery
and a parish church.
One of the four remaining
missions still under the care of the Franciscan
Brothers, it is very much alive today, and still serves
the people and community of San Miguel, the purpose for
which it was founded over 200 years ago.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel was founded on July 25, 1797
by Father Fermin Lasuen, Presidente of the California
Missions Chain. Named for Saint Michael the Arcangel, it
was the 16th mission founded in the 21 mission chain in
Alta California.
Mission San Miguel's appearance
is much the same as it was when founded. The inside of
the mission has never been repainted. The pictures and
the colors you see are the originals that were created
and painted by Indian artesans under the direction of
Esteban Munras. Today it is still a parish church.
The Mission San Miguel Preservation Fund
The
Earthquake of December 22nd, 2003 caused extensive
damage to the old Mission Church, and the entire Mission
Complex is closed for now to the public. A temporary
Gift Shop, with Mission information is now open. We hope
to reopen the regular Gift Shop and Museum late 2005.
At present visitors may view the Mission from the
parking lot, but may not enter the Mission Church or the
interior Mission courtyard.
A program to preserve
and reopen the old Church has already begun.
Your
donations will help us to reopen the Mission: "Friends
of Mission San Miguel," a California non-profit,
tax-exempt (501.3c)corporation has been established
recently for this specific purpose.
Friends of
Mission San Miguel
P.O. Box 69
San Miguel CA
93451-0069
The mission is at the South end of San
Miguel, a small town about eight miles North of Paso
Robles on U.S. 101. The address is 775 Mission Street
(California Landmark 326)
Founded July 25, 1797 by Father Fermin Lasuen
Named San Miguel
Arcangel for Saint Michael, Captain of the Armies of God
Interesting Facts about Mission San Miguel:
Mission San Miguel is the only one with unretouched
original paintings
Mission San Miguel was the
last to be secularized
Mission San Miguel
Chronology
1797 - Father Lasuen founds Mission San Miguel
1803 - 1,000 neophytes
1806 - Fire destroys Mission San Miguel
1818 - New church completed
1835 - Secularization
1846 - Mission San Miguel sold for $600
1928 - Franciscans return to Mission San Miguel
Getting to Mission San
Miguel
Mission San Miguel is located just off US
Highway 101 about 215 miles north of Los Angeles.
Exit the highway at 10th Street, turn right and
then left onto Mission Street. Mission San Miguel is on
the left.
California
Mission Photos
