In 1865 President Abraham Lincoln returned the mission to the Catholic Church. From 1868 until 1877 Franciscans conducted a high school and junior college for boys at the mission. In 1896 a seminary was established at Santa Barbara Mission. Until the summer of 1968, the School of Theology for the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara was located in mission buildings. Franciscan Friars continue to live and work today at Old Mission Santa Barbara.
Friars work in various apostolates in the western states.
They serve the Indians of Arizona and New Mexico as well as foreign missions. The parish of St. Barbara today uses the mission church. Send Mail or comments to Mike Hardwick about this Web site.