Santa Bárbara

Mission Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Bárbara. Courtesy of Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library.

History of Mission Santa Bárbara

Founded on December 4th, 1786 by Father Lasuén and named after Saint Barbara, Mission Santa Bárbara is known as “The Queen of the Missions”. Originally scheduled to open four years earlier by Father Serra, disagreements between the church and state on how the mission should operate delayed the grand opening until after Searra’s death. Mission Santa Bárbara began full operation a short time after its nearby presidio, which housed the soldiers and served as one of four military fortresses in California.

With striking views of the Pacific, Mission Santa Bárbara truly compliments the adjoining beachfront community. Its location, centrally between the missions of the north and south, and accessibility by sea, set the stage for Santa Barbara to play a key role in the ultimate development of California, and later would become headquarters of all the missions.

Santa Barbara housed the first California bishop, Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno, who was installed in 1842. As a result, Mission Santa Bárbara enjoyed the status of a pro cathedral church. Garcia Diego is buried in the mission sanctuary of the church, along with four thousand Chumash Indians. Also in the cemetery are mausoleums, or burial tombs of Santa Barbara’s early Spanish families.

Mission Santa Bárbara, along with Mission San Luis Rey, is one of only two missions continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding. Originally the mission was for the Indians while the soldiers and their families went to the presidio church in downtown Santa Barbara. After 1850, Mission Santa Bárbara became more of a center of worship for the people of Santa Barbara.

Following the devastation of several original adobe structures by earthquakes, the church at Mission Santa Bárbara was rebuilt of stone between 1812 and 1820, and restored again after the earthquake of 1925. The statues above the altar were brought to Santa Barbara from Mexico.

Outside the church are the unique twin towers of Mission Santa Bárbara. Originally built with one tower, the second tower was added in 1831. Six bells hang within the church towers, each one dedicated to a saint and bearing the inscription of the cross. This elaborate façade often serves as a colorful background for community events, as it did in the early mission days.

From Inside the California Missions
© David A. Bolton

Quick Facts

  • 10th Mission
  • Often called “Queen of the Missions”, first done by an early 20th century Franciscan
  • Founded on 12/4/1786 by Fermín Lasuén, Father Serra’s successor as Mission President
  • Originally scheduled to open four years earlier by Serra before delays
  • Became headquarters of all the missions succeeding Carmel
  • Santa Barbara housed first California bishop: Francisco Garcia Diego de Moreno – installed in 1842
  • Mission Santa Bárbara enjoyed the status of a “pro-cathedral church”
  • Bishop Diego is buried in the sanctuary
  • 4,000 Chumash are buried in the cemetery
  • Also in the cemetery are mausoleums of early Spanish families
  • “Mission was built for the Indians – the soldiers and their families went to the nearby Presidio”
  • Restored after earthquakes
  • Statues above altar came from Mexico
  • Unique “twin towers,” only twin tower mission in Alta California, and features sixbells, each dedicated to a saint
  • Mission façade serves as acolorful background for community events

Address
2201 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Tel: 805-682-4713

Landmark Status
National Historic Landmark
California Historic Landmark #309

Directions to the Mission
From US-101 : Exit and proceed east on Mission Street. Turn left onto Laguna Street and left onto East Los Olivos Street.

Hours of Operation
9am - 4:30pm daily; closed Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
For tour information, please call 805-682-4713 x166

Facilities
Gift shop, phone 805-682-4149
Mission Renewal Center, phone 805-682-4713 x133