Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-06-26
PADRE Juslpsao SIERRA.
Restoration OF the Old Mission
church at san Carlos.

Rf8tOrntlOn Oh bho Wv
Church at san Carlos.
The following appeal to the people OF
California, signed by Governor Stone
man and numerous Others, is being cir
culated:
On the 2sth Of August nsxt, Caliior.
nia will commemorate the one hundredth
anniversary of the deuth OF the iirst pio-
neer. the founder OF tho Indian Missions.
Padre Junipcro Sierra. After long life
of suffering, sacrifices and labor in the
service of his beloved Indian flock, this
venerable priest yielded up his spirit to
God. and his body was laid to rest under
the stone flags of the old church of San
Carlos. In Carmelo valley, the scene OF
his labors and death. The Mission OF
Son Carlos, first established hf Monterey
ON the 81 day Of June, l770, and re-
moved 10 Carmelo in December OF the
same year, was the second Mission
founded in Upper California by Father
Sierra. President of the Franciscan Mis-
sions. OF the twenty.one Missions es.
tablished in California. a few are well
preserved; others are in ruin,
and OF some not q vestige Is
left TO mark the spot where they
once stood. The most picturesque and
poetic Of these historic landmarks Of our
State, and the noblost work of Padre
Sierra ia tho old stone church OF San
Carlos, at Carmclo, and it is sad spec.
tacle and reproach to California to see
this venerable pile, through neglect and
apathy, slowly crumbling into dust.
Inexerable time had laid his finger on
this relic Of religion and civilization. and
was leveling it to earth, until quite re-
Gently, the Rev. Angelo d. Casonova,
the pastor of Monterey, undertook to
stop the work of destruction, and pre-.
serve TO California this monument OF the
life and labors of the venerable Padre
Sierra and hi, last resting place, and also
that of his co.laborers in the Missions
and Of few of the early Governors OF
California. Tho restoration Of the old
church Is going on. Already over $4,000
has been expended on II and the total
cost is estimated at about $4,000. 1t
is hoped that the work will be com.
pleted by the 2Sth Of August next, and
that the centennial anniversary Of the
death of the energetic pioneer will see
his work ns il stood when his body was
laid away under the flags. We now make
appeal to the people OF California, ire
spectivc Of creed, To pay tribute OF re-
spect to the memory OF this venerable
man, by assisting with their means In
Abe restoration OF the old stone pile, that
IL may stand, through coming ages. 4
monument over the grave OF one whom
we revere, respect and love.
''such graves as his are pilgrim shrinea,
Shrines to no code or creed confined,
Tho Dephan yalcs the Falestncs,
The Meccas Of the mind"
We ask Californians TO help this under
taking .,y forming committees In every
town, and forward their collections tt
Father Casanova, at Monterey; that thil
building. one OF the first fruits OF civ
ilization In our beloved State, may be re
stored, aud the centennial anniversar,
of Junipe Serra's death oommcmoratet
in manner worthy Of the good pioneer
priest.
Contributions may be sent direct t.
Rev. Father Angelo d. Casanova, V. f..
Monterey, or to First National Bank, SaI
Francisco; Donahoo 4 Kolly's Bank, SAT
Francisco; Nevada Bank, San Francisco
Commercial h Savings Bank Of San Jose
Il. & NJ. Bank, Los Angslcs; or 10 col
lectors authorized by Father Casanova