By J.C. Lewis
Santa Barbara Mission is nicknamed "Queen of the Missions." It is recognizable as the only California mission with two identical bell towers, and its large size, interesting historical architecture and 10 acres of landscaped gardens make Santa Barbara Mission a popular place to visit.
Founding
Santa Barbara Mission was named La Misión de La Señora Bárbara, Virgen y Mártir at its founding. It was named after Saint Barbara of Greece, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century.
Santa Barbara Mission was established on Dec. 4, 1786, the date of the Feast of Saint Barbara, by Spanish Franciscan Friars. Santa Barbara was the 10th of 21 Franciscan missions founded in California.
History
Santa Barbara Mission features the ruins of an aqueduct system built around 1808. Its fountain and lavandaria structures are still standing.
The Mission's Chumash Indian converts were traditionally hunter-gatherers, but the Friars taught them agriculture. Santa Barbara Mission once had thousands of sheep and cows, as well as horses, mules, goats and pigs, and cultivated oranges, olives, beans, corn, wheat and barley.
Earthquakes
The existing buildings of Santa Barbara Mission were all built at different times. The oldest remaining part is a row of adobe rooms built around 1790.
The church is the fourth built at the mission and was constructed after the earthquake of 1812 destroyed the previous church. Paintings and statues from previous churches were saved, so much of the art at the Mission is older than the buildings.
Today
Santa Barbara Mission is still home to Franciscan Friars. It is the only one of 21 California missions to remain under Franciscan leadership since being established. It is to this day a busy church with a large parish.
Santa Barbara Mission Library is the oldest library in California to still be owned by its founders. It contains more than 3,000 historical documents brought to the Mission in 1833 and is a center for the study of California mission history.
Fun Fact
The character Karana from the children's book "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell was based on a girl left on San Nicholas Island for 18 years who is buried somewhere in Santa Barbara Mission's cemetery.
Resources
About the Author:
J.C. Lewis is the editor and co-owner of a weekly newspaper, as well as a staffer and regular contributor to a group of three newspapers in Los Angeles, Calif. Her writing has appeared on USAToday.com, Hotels.com and various other websites. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
