San Juan de Capistrano Mission

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Some photographs I took at Mission San Juan Capistrano when I visited in late February.

For a brief but insightful overview of the mission, its history, and its architecture, read Little Chapters about San Juan Capistrano, a short book written by Rev. John O'Sullivan, the priest who oversaw its restoration in the early 20th century.

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The above pictures are of the Serra Chapel, the oldest building in California, and the only standing building in which it is known that Blessed Junipero Serra celebrated Mass. During the period of private ownership, it served as a hay barn. Under Fr. O'Sullivan's leadership, it was restored to a place of worship. The Churrigueresque retablo was installed in 1922.

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When the Great Stone Church was consecrated in 1806, it was the largest church in western America. It fell six years later in an earthquake on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, killing 40. From the account of the missionaries in charge:

On the eighth day of this month consecrated to the Most Pure Conception of the Most Holy Virgin, a terrible earthquake occurred while the first holy Mass was being celebrated, which was about ... in the morning. In a moment it completely destroyed the new church built of masonry. It required more than nine years to construct it, but it lasted no more than six years and three months to the day, for it was blessed on September 8, 1806. The tower tottered twice. At the second shock it fell on the portal and bore this down, causing the concrete roof to cave in as far as the transept exclusively. Forty Indians, thirty-eight adults and two children, were buried beneath the ruins, only six escaping as by a miracle. Of the whites, none were killed, though some were at the holy Mass. The worst of all is the death of those unfortunates. The mishap has left us without a church, for on account of clefts and breaks it is altogether unserviceable; and because the walls of the fallen part remain high, we dare not work and are in constant fear.

The LION & the CARDINAL