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Mission San Gabriel Archangel
The following information is taken in part, from a brochure available at the Mission Entrance and Gift Shop.
Founded in 1771, only two years after the discovery
of the San Gabriel Valley, the San Gabriel Mission is rich in California
history. The San Gabriel Mission Church was built of cut stone, brick
and mortar (1791-1805), and is the oldest structure of its kind south of
Monterey. Architectually, it is unique among the California Missions.
Father Antonio Cruzado its designer was born and raised in Cordova, Spain. The Moorish influence is evidenced by the Buttressed walls vaulted roof and fortress-like appearance of the Church. The original valulted roof and ceiling were damaged by an earthquake in 1804. The replacement roof, a flat roof of brick and mortar, was damaged in the 1812 earthquake. The third was a pitched roof of tiles; another was added in 1886. The present roof is made of cedar shingles and was installed in 1993 on recommendation of the State Office of Historic Preservation as part of the restoration project after the 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake. The walls are original, more than four feet thick, with sections through the buttresses as much as seven feet thick. The pulpit in the sanctuary is the original. The main alter was made in Mexico and brought to the Mission in the 1790's. The wooden polychrome statues were hand-carved in Spain. During the 1812 earthquake the alter and the Crucifix were damaged. The statues fell and were broken into pieces. Repairs on these were completed in 1813. The statues and alter were again restored in 1993 as part of the most recent restoration project. Also displayed in the sanctuary is the 300 year old painting of "Our Lady of Sorrows." As told by one small party of founding missionaries - they had made the long journey from San Diego, arriving at a predetermined location. Just as they were deliberating as to an exact site for the mission, they were met by a large group of hostile Indians who seemed determined to drive them away. One of the priests took this painting and spread it on the ground for the Indians to see. The Indians were so impressed with the beauty of the painting they offered signs of friendship to the missionaries. These Indians, who eventually lived and worked at the mission, became known as the Gabrielinos. The Museum building was constructed in 1812 of adobe brick with a tiled roof and is almost 300 feet long. Originally it was composed of a series of rooms: weaving rooms, the granary, carpenter shops, and sleeping quarters for the mission fathers. The Vestment Room contains a remarkable collection of garments dating back to the 17th century that were used by the mission fathers. Other important artifacts contained here are a small rosewood organ which was brought from France about 1821; (it is a reed organ featuring a self-transposing keyboard). and priceless books dating back to 1489, and a Spanish bedroom set dated 1623. |
Exterior views of the church
Garden Areas & Historic Features
Interior views of the church
The mission baptistry with massive walls and dome in
the shape of a half orange of "media naranja" is unique and most interesting.
The baptismal font, itself a hammered copper basin, was brought to the
mission before 1771. The silver utensil used in baptism, together with
the beautiful silver pouring vessel was donated to the mission by Charles
III, King of Spain. |
The Mission museum displays
This is one complete bible in six volumes bound in sheep-skin
(vellum). Printed in the year 1588, Venice, Italy. It is
unique not only from the standpoint of copious explanatory
notes, but of the numerous and carefully drafted illustrations.
These volumes were a prized possession of the original library
which once included hundreds of volumes.
|
Views of the gardens
De Anza Expedition Plaque
Located in Plaza
Park, adjacent to the San Gabriel Mission, is a small plaque commemorating
the expedition led by Juan Bautista De Anza. |
ERECTED BY THE SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT THE TERMINUS OF THE OVERLAND MARCH OF 1774 CAPITÁN JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA OF THE ROYAL ARMY OF SPAIN "IN LENGTH AND IN DIFFICULTIES OF TERRAIN AND HOSTILE NATIVES, ANZA'S EXPEDITION WAS COMPARABLE TO LEWIS AND CLARK'S" |
JOHN WALTON CAUGHEY |
Mission San Gabriel Archangel is located in the city of San Gabriel at 428 S. Mission Drive. See map. |
Items of Interest...
Related Links |
Mission San Gabriel Archángel - official page |
San Gabriel Archángel - California Missions |
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