On July 16, 1769, Franciscan friar Junipero Serra founded California’s first Catholic mission. This marked the beginning of the Spanish mission system in California, which would go on to shape the culture, history, and landscape of the region for centuries.
In 1749, Father Serra left a prestigious teaching position in Spain to work at a missionary in Mexico City. The Spanish emperor selected Serra to head a series of missions that stretched into present-day California. The missions were founded to establish permanent settlements, prevent Russians from encroaching in the region, and spread Christianity to the Native Americans.
Serra traveled north from Mexico with Spanish soldiers and settlers, choosing a hill near the San Diego River as the site for the new mission. On July 16, 1769, Serra’s expedition reached the site of present-day San Diego, California. While the rest of the party continued on in search of Monterrey harbor, Serra and a few followers remained behind. Serra then blessed the new outpost of Christianity, raised the Spanish flag, and named the new mission San Diego de Alcala. Serra’s companions failed to find Monterrey, but he later did find it and established his second mission there – San Carlos Barromeo.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá served many roles. It was a church, a school, a farm, and a hub for Spanish settlers. It was named after Saint Didacus of Alcalá (San Diego in Spanish). Serra’s goal was to convert the local Kumeyaay people to Christianity and teach them European ways of life. This process involved forcing Native Americans to give up their traditional customs, languages, and religions. Disease and harsh conditions led to many deaths.
In 1775, Kumeyaay warriors attacked and burned much of the mission in protest of the Spanish presence and treatment. One missionary was killed. The mission was rebuilt and became an important center of Spanish influence in the region.
Under Father Serra’s leadership, a total of 21 missions were built along California’s coast, spaced about a day’s journey apart. In 1771, Serra relocated to Carmel. His headquarters became known as “Mission Carmel.” During the last three years of his life, Serra walked more than 600 miles to visit the Franciscan missions and confirm 5,309 people who had been baptized during the previous 14 years. Father Serra was declared a saint in 2015.
Communities eventually grew around the missions. These missions formed a base for the settlement of California. Today, more than 60% of Californians live in areas that once surrounded the Franciscan missions.
These missions were designed to convert Native Americans to Christianity and teach them European customs and religious practices. However, the mission system also disrupted Native American life, bringing diseases, forced labor, and cultural change. Junípero Serra is a controversial figure today. While he is credited with helping to shape California’s early history, many also criticize the missions’ negative impact on indigenous communities.
Today, Mission San Diego de Alcalá is a National Historic Landmark and still functions as a Catholic parish. Visitors can tour the restored buildings, gardens, and museum to learn about California’s complex mission history. The site remains a symbol of both religious legacy and the lasting effects of colonization in the American West.
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Before sugar coating the California Mission system, read “Eye of the Bear” by Naida West. It gives the Native American viewpoint of the Spanish invasion by the missionaries and military. It is not a pretty picture.
I wonder how many of the baptisms were forced on the Native Americans? That would make an embarrassing statistic for the Vatican to swallow.
Graff, I wonder why you continue to keep tuning in to this station when you continuously and predictably weigh in with your negativity. History is just what it is and can not be changed. The stamps ,which by the way, commemorate these events are what this is all about. Personally I rated the article 5 stars because the text accurately reproduces a history lesson from 6th grade. Sorry my response is a day late. I hope you get the message.
Saramak, no we can’t change history, but we can acknowledge it by recounting what actually happened. It has been said that the winners write the history, but those who lost, and the native people of California lost a lot, also have a story to tell. My comment is three days late, but I have been out of town.
I think the reason some folks react negatively to Conrad’s rebuttals – no matter how sincere – is because they’re so singular in their contrarian scope. But, I’m pretty sure Conrad knows war, slavery, genocide and forced conversions existed well before Europeans came to the New World.
Mr. Gaunt, there are at least two sides to every story but, the only one I’ve heard is the one told by Mystic and the fact that our own personal version of “Debbie Downer” doesn’t like it. What a surprise. I’d like to hear the other side of the story but because I didn’t check back on this article I’ll just go with what I read last year and learned 57 years ago.
It is your choice to remain ignorant.
I live in Carmel and am a firm believer in keeping this a stamp blog but some of you continuously use it to spout your own agenda. Having said that and since the door is already open I’m here to tell you that religion, especially catholicism, was commiting atrocities long before they came to the New World and they just kept on doing it. The local tribe, and many others, tried to block Serra from sainthood to no avail. the catholic church made this butcher a saint and to add insult to injury the USPS made a stamp (remember the subject) honoring him. It disgusts me about as much as a stamp honoring hitler would. Remain ignorant if you choose but the truth is what really matters. It’s a stamp blog but every now and then something truly ugly makes an appearance. Not Mystics fault, blame is squarly on the catholic church and the USPS. These articles contain tidbits of history as entertainment. For knowledge you go to the library either physically or online with Wikipedia, Library of Congress or your local library, etc., etc., etc. Go learn something.