21 Missions In California History: El Camino Real

There are 21 missions near the California coast along the El Camino Real (King’s Highway) extending 650 miles, established from 1769-1833. I joined our local church in visiting six of the 21 mission churches last weekend. Not only a religious tour, but also I learned so much about California history – the Old World (Spain) attempts at colonization, the Pacific connection between Central America, Philippines and Mexico and Alta California.

Common to the mission church ground is the statue of Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest who led the way (founded nine missions) including his headquarters, the Mission San Carlos Borromeo at Carmel. We heard stories about this soon to be sainted Blessed Junipero Serra: Apostle of California. Another common feature of the mission is the architecture that includes adobe walls, tile roofs, long and curved corridors, patio and gardens. Exposed wood beams, and flowers and

We walked the grounds and saw the unique archaeological ruins of the old mission complex. We then headed inside the mission church for the morning prayers and admired the church interior painted in pastel colors in flowers and river of life motif, with exposed wood beams, and Barcelona-style chandeliers.

Our next stop was the mission and Pro-Cathedral San Luis Obispo. It’s one of the oldest missions, founded in 1772. The most significant devotional art is in an alcove on the right hand side of the church, with an illuminated painting of Our Lady of Refuge. The alcove was once the entrance to the funerary chapel, which led out onto the mission cemetery.

We then traveled to the remote and second least visited Mission La Purisima in Lompoc. Donated to the State of California, the mission became a part of the State Historic Parks. Surrounded by natural wilderness, just the same way as it was when it was first built, Mission La Purisima is one of the most originally preserved