San Juan Capistrano: (Find on
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While
researching the San Juan Capistrano I learned the simple facts. This mission
was the Seventh Mission in the Catholic California mission chain. The date the
mission was founded was October 30, 1775 by Father Lasuen. The date the mission
was refounded was November 1, 1776 by the famous Father Serra. Altogether all
the founders are officially titled as follows: Father Fermin de Lasuen and
Father Junipero Serra. The mission itself was officially named after St. John
of Capistrano, Italy, a theologian and inquisitor of the 14th century.
Unique to this
specific mission San Juan Capistrano was founded twice. Mission San Juan Capistrano is the seventh
mission founded November 1, 1776 by Fr. Junipero Serra. Previously established
by Fr. Fermin Lasuen October 30, 1775, but abandoned because of Indian unrest
at Mission San Diego. The mission was named for St. John of Capistrano, Italy,
a theologian and inquisitor of the 14th century. The Great Stone Church begun
1796; competed 1806; destroyed by earthquake 1812. Mission secularized 1833,
sold 1845, and returned to Church 1865. while
researching the San Juan Capistrano I learned about a pirate attack on the
mission. In 1818, the mission was visited by California's only pirate,
Bouchard. Equipped with two sailing ships, he attacked missions on the coast in
the name of a South American province which was engaged in revolt against
Spain. His connection with the revolutionists was more fiction than fact, but
he found it provided a convenient excuse for his attack on the settlements.
Having been warned of Bouchard's approach, Padre Geronimo Boscano gathered up
his neophytes and fled into the interior. The little mission guard made a
feeble effort to hold off the pirates, and succeeded only in spurring their
foes to do greater damage.
When the padres returned, they blamed the soldiers
more than the pirates for conditions they found, especially as the wine barrels
seemed to be the principal objects of attack. While
researching the San Juan Capistrano I also learned about the numbers. I learned
about the cattle numbers which was considered a source of value and worth to
the priests. San Juan Capistrano well as this the mission being a mission the number of
converted Indians was a sign of worth as well and I learned their number as
well. In 1819, there were over 31,000 animals, cattle, sheep, horses, mules,
goats and pigs on the livestock rolls, owned by the Mission. In 1812, the year
of the disastrous earthquake, there were 1361 Indian "neophytes"
under the care of the padres.
In
1865, part of the former mission holdings were returned to the Church and some attempt
was made to halt further decay. The results were ineffective and the condition
of the mission continued to deteriorate. Lucky for us however this was only so
until 1895 when Charles Fletcher Lummis, founder of the Landmarks Club, was
able to set up a more permanent protection. This protection has been able to
keep up and manage this mission since then for it to be the mission it is
today.
When the padres returned, they blamed the soldiers
more than the pirates for conditions they found, especially as the wine barrels
seemed to be the principal objects of attack. While
researching the San Juan Capistrano I also learned about the numbers. I learned
about the cattle numbers which was considered a source of value and worth to
the priests. San Juan Capistrano well as this the mission being a mission the number of
converted Indians was a sign of worth as well and I learned their number as
well. In 1819, there were over 31,000 animals, cattle, sheep, horses, mules,
goats and pigs on the livestock rolls, owned by the Mission. In 1812, the year
of the disastrous earthquake, there were 1361 Indian "neophytes"
under the care of the padres. 
In
1865, part of the former mission holdings were returned to the Church and some attempt
was made to halt further decay. The results were ineffective and the condition
of the mission continued to deteriorate. Lucky for us however this was only so
until 1895 when Charles Fletcher Lummis, founder of the Landmarks Club, was
able to set up a more permanent protection. This protection has been able to
keep up and manage this mission since then for it to be the mission it is
today.
