Mission San Juan Capistrano

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San Juan Capistrano

California Missions

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Ruins of the original church at San Juan Capistrano


	SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
	MISSION
	FOUNDED IN 1776 BY PADRE JUNIPERO SERRA. THE SEVENTH IN THE CHAIN OF TWENTY-ONE MISSIONS ESTABLISHED IN ALTA CALIFORNIA TO CHRISTIANIZE AND CIVILIZE THE INDIANS. STONE CHURCH DESTROYED IN 1812 EARTHQUAKE. EXPROPRIATED DURING MEXICAN RULE. RETURNED TO CATHOLIC CHURCH IN1865 BY PROCLAMATION OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
	HISTORICAL LANDMARK NO. 200

Ruins of the church after the earthquake of 1812

THE GREAT STONE CHURCH

Brightest facet of San Juan Capistrano, "The Jewel of the Mission" was its church, begun in 1797 and considered the most magnificent in all California.

It's arched roof of seven domes had sheltered worshipers for less than a decade when a tragic earthquake leveled the beautiful structure in 1812, leaving only a part of one dome and the sanctuary wall. Today a nearby replica, outside Mission walls, serves as the parish church.

TO THE MEMORY OF
FRAY JUNIPERO SERRA
APOSTLE OF
CALIFORNIA
FIRST FATHER-PRESIDENT OF THE
CALIFORNIA MISSIONS
AND FOUNDER OF THE
MISSION OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

THIS STATUE DEDICATED IN HIS HONOR
NOV. 24, 1914, THE TWO HUNDRED AND
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

Father Serra's Church

In the interior of the mission, an older, smaller church still stands. It survived the earthquake of 1812 whereas the larger domed church did not. On Oct. 12-13, 1783 Fr. Junipero Serra confirmed 213 persons in this church. It has the distinction of being the only church now standing in California, in which Fr. Serra officiated. The oldest portion dates from 1777. The alter is an early Franciscan Baroque alter of the 17th or 18th century of cherry wood, having been brought from Barcelona about 1806. The retablo, of 196 parts is handcarved and gold leafed. The following statues occupy the niches: San Juan Capistrano, San Francisco de Asis, San Miguel Archangel, San Pedro and Santa Clara.

El Campanario or bell wall, was built by the Fathers after 1812 in which to hang the four Mission Bells rescued from the tower of the Stone Church which had been felled by the earthquake of December 8, 1812.

The central courtyard garden

One of the highlights of a visit to the Mission is the central courtyard containing one of the most beautiful gardens of any of the California Missions.

Historical Displays

There are several displays depicting Mission and early California life.
Furnishings, implements, and artwork help to bring the past to life.

The Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at at the Corner of Ortega Highway & Camino Capistrano. See map.

Items of Interest...