Mission San Diego de Alcala

The Mission was founded on July 16, 1769 by Franciscan Friar Father Junipero Serra on the site that is now the Presidio. (See preceeding blog entry). It was relocated to its present site in 1774 to be nearer the existing Indian villages and to reliable water sources and farmland. It was the first in a chain of 21 missions along the coast of California and is consequently known as the Mother of the Missions. (Additional images, including historical photos, can be found further down in this blog.) For a complete list see California Missions.

Mission San Diego de Alcala: Historical Photos

Here are images of the San Diego Mission at the turn of the century (circa 1885-1905) provided by local resident Richard Roppe. Some of the photos were taken by his great-great-grandfather.

Season's Greetings

Here is a photograph of the Bascilica (Church) door at the Mission San Diego de Alcala taken during the Holiday Season 2008. In addition to the seasonal symbolism, I like the detail and the shadows from the mid-morning sun.

Mission San Diego de Alcala

The Mission was founded on July 16, 1769 by Franciscan Friar Father Junipero Serra on the site that is now the Presidio. (See preceeding blog entry). It was relocated to its present site in 1774 to be nearer the existing Indian villages and to reliable water sources and farmland. It was the first in a chain of 21 missions along the coast of California and is consequently known as the Mother of the Missions.

Presidio Park

"The Junípero Serra Museum, in Presidio Park, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. As a major symbol of the city, it stands atop the hill recognized as the site where California began. It was here in 1769 that a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junípero Serra, with a group of soldiers led by Gaspar de Portolá, established Alta California’s first mission and presidio (fort)." (Courtesy of the San Diego Historical Society.) Photography by RM Lewis

The Mission San Diego de Alcala was later moved a few miles further east to a location more amenable to sources of water and agriculture, where it exists today and is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.