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| The Mission San Fernando, Rey de Espana, was established by Fray Fermin
Francisco De Lasuen on September 8, 1797 as one of a chain of missions
which were built to convert the native peoples to Christianity and to
consolidate Spanish power along the coast of California. The Mission Church is an exact replica of the original church which was built between 1804 and 1806. The walls of the church are seven feet thick at the base and five feet thick at the top. The material used was adobe brick and the people who built it were primarily the native peoples, who were called the Gabrielinos (Spanish name) or the Tongva. The establishment of the missions in California was traumatic for the native peoples. It brought about a forced change in their lifestyle, beliefs and culture. In addition, the Spanish unwittingly brought diseases for which the native peoples had not developed resistance, thus causing the death of a large percentage of the population. At one time the mission was a huge ranch with 121,542 acres of land. It had 21,745 cattle, sheep and horses and it produced corn, wheat, tallow, soap, hides, shoes, cloth, wine, olive oil and ironwork. Woodwork, saddles and weaving were made in some of the workshops that can be seen there. The Convento, where the priests lived was completed in 1822. Today the mission is the Archival Center for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Researchers need to make appointments.The Historical Museum is open to the public on Monday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. |
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| The Mission San Fernando / Los
Encinos Rancho / Andres Pico Adobe
/ Bolton Hall SFVG Society Home / Programs / Publications/ Historical Sites |
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