Old Mission Santa Barbara

This historic church complex belonged to Spain’s network of missions throughout not only California, but also across the region that today makes up the US-Mexico border. It was established in 1786 and named to honor the specific day of its founding (December 4th), which is dedicated to the Feast of Santa Barbara. By this time, California already had nine other missions in operation. Each of these institutions aimed to evangelize the native peoples who lived in the area, by coercing them to live, worship, and work at the mission. Like many of the other Spanish colonial churches in this region, it was created by Franscisan missionaries with permission from the Crown. Originally built of adobe, the structure has undergone renovations and expansions over the years. Earthquakes have been a major cause for such changes. This source is part of the Historic Churches in the Southwestern US Source Collection.