The missions were set up by the missionaries of Spain. The emperor of Spain sent a group of Christian religion followers and preachers to the lands of America with the motive of spreading Christianity and for civilizing the natives of the country. They wanted these conversions and civilizations as the Spanish had the ulterior motive of colonizing these areas under them. With this motive, they built the first mission in 1769 and went on to construct 20 more mission buildings along the coastal areas of the country.
First mission built
The first mission built by the Spanish missionaries was Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala. It was after this mission that the present day San Diego province of California is named. It was founded by the missionaries on July 16, 1769. The areas surrounding the mission were called San Diego after the catholic priest Saint Didacus. This church has been declared by the government of the State as a national historical landmark.
Goals of the mission
The goal of the mission was to educate and civilize the native people living in the surrounding areas of the mission. The education was done in Spanish and English. The main aims of the mission were to convert the natives into Christianity and make the areas colonies of Spain. The mission supported the adjourning land to the church and also took the natives of that area under them. The goal of the mission was to make the natives self sufficient people. The people of the area were made to settle along the adjourning areas of the church. The areas were named San Diego. Their land, agricultural production, and their livestock etc were all under the name of the church and belonged to the church. The major crops produced in San Diego were wheat, wine, barley beans etc, where as cattle rearing included horses, cows and sheep.
Mission industries
The missionaries wanted to uplift the people of Alta California and wanted to make them civilized beings. In order to do so, they came up with many industries and taught them many skills through these industries, such as, farming, cultivation, animal rearing, constructional work, and land tilling. They also taught the womenfolk stitching, knitting, and pottery etc., along with educating the whole race. They established a manual training school in the compounds of the mission where the people were taught agricultural and animal husbandry skills along with art of using machines.
Importance of bell towers
The chapel of the first mission had a bell tower constructed near the chapel. The mission bell towers had five bells attached to it. Bell towers are usually a tall tower like structure with a bell fitted in the center of the top or at the side walls of the tower. The bell was rung with the help of a long rope attached to it. They formed the distinctive feature of California missions. These bells formed an important part of the people’s day to day life as they were rung to summon the people up. They were rung during the meal times, during religious services. The ringing of bell was associated with work timings, births or funerals in the areas.
Contact :
Contact Person: Maureen Sullivan
E-mail: [email protected]
Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Address: 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92057-6402
Tel/Fax: (760) 757-3651
Website: http://www.sanluisrey.org/