San Francisco de Asís

Mission San Francisco de Asís
Mission San Francisco de Asís. Courtesy of Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library.

History of Mission San Francisco de Asís

The evolution of California is quite evident at Mission San Francisco de Asís. Located in the downtown mission district of San Francisco, this mission was founded on June 29th, 1776 by Father Serra, just five days before the Declaration of Independence was signed on the other side of what would become the United States of America. It was founded 6th in the mission chain.

Officially named after Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, the mission seems overwhelmed by the burgeoning city of San Francisco and dwarfed by its neighbor, Mission Dolores Basilica, built 100 years after the mission in 1876. San Francisco de Asís is often called Mission Dolores, due to its close proximity to a nearby creek named Arroyo de los Dolores. Having survived the great earthquake and fire of 1906, the mission church is the oldest intact building in the city of San Francisco and the only intact Mission Chapel in the chain of twenty-one established under the direction of Father Serra.

The mission’s simple exterior belies its sophisticated and detailed interior, enhanced by the magnificent ceiling painted by the Indians with vegetable-based paint. The church altar at Mission Dolores features several statues of the saints for whom the missions were named. This stunning and richly decorated interior is one of the most striking in the mission chain.

The cemetery of Mission Dolores contains remnants of mission history, including a statue of Father Serra. The mission was plagued by disease and high mortality rates among the Indian population. In fact, by 1832, more than 5,000 Indians had died at the mission. Some blame the high death rate on the inclement weather of the San Francisco Bay, and on European diseases, such as smallpox and measles, for which the Indians had no immunity. Concerned fathers discussed moving the mission across the San Francisco Bay to the north, to provide a healthier environment for the Indians. However, the relocation never took place.

From Inside the California Missions
© David A. Bolton

Quick Facts

  • 6th mission
  • Founded on 6/29/1776
  • Named after St. Francis of Assisi
  • Dwarfed by its neighbor – Mission Dolores basilica, built in 1876, and the massive modern-day city of San Francisco
  • Once stood next to a lake called Dolores, and today if often called Mission Dolores
  • Simple exterior, complex interior
  • Magnificent ceiling, painted by Indians
  • Altar has statues of saints
  • Cemetery has remains of many mission Indians, as well as a statue of Saint Serra
  • In the early days, the mission had a very high mortality rate
  • More than 5,000 Indians had died by 1832 – possible reasons include bad weather and European diseases
  • Concerned fathers discussed moving the mission across the bay to the north, to provide a healthier environment, but the move never happened

Address
3321 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
Tel: 415-621-8203

Landmark Status
National Register of Historic Places
California State Landmark

Directions to the Mission
From Marin County: Take the Lombard Street exit off the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right onto Van Ness.  Right onto Market Street. Left on Dolores.  Proceed to 16th Street.

From the East Bay: Take the Bay Bridge to US-101 north. Exit at Duboce Avenue/Mission Street. Left on Guerro. At 16th turn right and proceed to Dolores.

From the South Bay: From CA-280 north, exit at San Jose Avenue. At the "Y" take Dolores to the left. Proceed to 16th Street.

Hours of Operation
9a - 4p (4:30p from May 1 to October 31) daily; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day,
and limited hours on Good Friday (9a - 12p) and Easter Sunday (10a - 1p).
Please call 415-621-8203 to confirm.

Docent led tours for groups of ten or more, reservations required. Call 415-621-8203 for further information.
A 40-minute audio tour (English) is available.

Facilities
Gift Shop
Cemetery Gardens