The herald., 1895-02-24

| padres disputed the Governors power to
dispose OF the porperty, and after much
litigation the possessions reverted to the
! church. sFf
Within the very shadow of the chapel
General Kearney defeated the Mexicans
Founded on the 1st OF November, 1776,
the mission of San Juan Capistrano came
into existence soon after the birth of the
American republic. Its erection of stone
and mortar was commenced in 1897 and
attem pit to establish the mission upon
site known as ''Inanis Savit Sajirit,P
1T was abandoned, owing to the massacre
of the padres at San Diego. The first
missionaries were Padres Amurrio and
Pablo de Mugartertegui, but the most
noted minister of San Juan was Padre
Jose Ma Zalvidea, who placed her at the
head of the other missions. tr.
On the morning of December 49, 1872
while mass was being celebrated terrible
earthquake destroyed the building. The
tower of the church came laundering
through the roof upon the frightened wor-
shippers. Thirty-nine of the latter were
buried in the ruins and the church was
never reconstructed. The ruins still stand
to tell the catastrophe, and in the church
yard near by lie the bodies of the padres
who died in the services of the church
and civilization
In 1874 the mission was sold to James
Mckinley and John Foster for $40, but
twenty years later the church regained
possession after much litigation.
On March 10Th, 1882, Padre Sierra and
Cambon together with seventy soldiers
and their families, arrived at villag.
called Asuncion, on the Santa Barbara
channel, and at once established the
mission San Buena Ventura, and to their
surprise, the Indians received them with
friendship, bringing them berries and
seeds.
In $780, the primitive chapel was
seconded by a splendid stone structure,
where Padre Scoran, assisted by five other
disciples of st. Francis, dedicated the
chapel.
From the planting Of the cross until
the Government took control in 1887,
the books showed that San Buena
Ventura had brought 1876 Indians into
the church, and it stands today as his
toric monument.
Almost instantaneous with the estab-
lisment of the San Buena Ventura the
presidio Of Santa Barbara was founded.
On December 4, 1886 the latter institu-
tion was formally established, with Padres
Antonio Paterona and Christobal Dramas
in charge. This church however suffered
considerable from earthquakes and a new
structure was erected and dedicated in
1920, with marble columns, altar tables
in Roman style and an image of Santa
Barbara in cut stone, painted in oil.
The Indians were taught weaving and
dyeing, in which they showed great adept
ness, and their carpentering and masonry
are yet objects of admiration. The dis
ciples of st. Francis still preside as Gus
todians of Santa Barbara mission, and
beside the church lie the graves of her an
cient fathers
On September s, 1897, president Lasuen,
assisted by Padre Dumetz, performed
the usual ceremonies, dedicating the Mis-
sion San Fernando Rey, according to in
structions from the Viceroy of Mexico.
In 1906 new church supplanted the old
structure and was dedicated to Fernando
III, King of Spain. This mission was in
flourishing condition and had valuable
vineyards.
In 1846 the mission was sold to Eulogio
Cells, by order of Governor Pho Pico, for
$14, 900. 4s
The mission has historical value, as
within its walls the Mexican war closed
and the paper of capitulation to General
Fremont was signed.