HISTORY IN
     SAN LUIS OBISPO
        COUNTY
  Site  by Lynne Landwehr © 2001
      www.historyinslocounty.org
      

Features and Information:

Mission Projects:
Mission San Miguel

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A Capsule History of
Mission San Miguel Archangel 

Reprinted, with permission,
from the brochure distributed at the Mission. 

1797: Mission San Miguel Founded

For some months during the summer of 1795, Padre Sitjar from Mission San Antonio explored the region between San Luis Obispo and San Antonio. Finally, on July 25, 1797, two years later, Presidente Fermin Francisco de Lasuen took formal possession of the land for Viceroy Branciforte and founded the 16^th of the California missions. One of the chief purposes of the new mission was to facilitate travel between Mission San Luis Obispo and San Antonio. The mission system was so devised that each mission was a day’s travel from its neighbor. 

1806: Disastrous fire destroys buildings

The first chapel had to be replaced in a year’s time by a larger adobe church. Workshops were constructed and living quarters established. Before sturdy tile roofs could be put over the buildings, a disastrous fire occurred in 1806. A major portion of the mission’s equipment, produce, and buildings were destroyed. Neighboring missions came to San Miguel’s aid, however, and in a year’s time the mission was functioning again.

1816: Present mission Church begun

In 1816 stone foundations were laid for the church which survive today. Under the direction of Padre Juan Martin, the Indians had been preparing adobe for several years. The construction proceeded rapidly. And, in 1818, the Church was ready for roofing. Three years later, Esteban Munras arrived to supervise the interior decorations for which the Church is now famous. 

1836:  Mission San Miguel is secularized

On July 14, 1836, Ignacio Coronel assumed jurisdiction over San Miguel’s mission property and lands for the civil government. Three years after the secularizing of the mission, many of the Indians had run away; Padre Moreno found the mission so despoiled that he had to retire elsewhere to support himself. Padre Abella, the last Franciscan at San Miguel, died in July, 1841. 

1859:  U.S. Government returns Mission to the Church

Mission San Miguel, which had been confiscated after secularization, was returned to the church by President Buchanan. 

1878:  A padre is once more sent to Mission San Miguel

After 38 years without a resident padre, Rev. Philip Farrelly took up residence as First Pastor of Mission San Miguel. Secular clergy made various repairs to the church and mission buildings.

Today:  Best Preserved Interior

In 1928 Mission San Miguel was returned to the Franciscan Padres, the same group who had founded the mission in 1797. Today it is a parish church, novitiate, and retreat house.

Many of its original decorations are still intact. The mission’s appearance today is much the same as when it was first founded, and it stands as one of California’s best-preserved and authentic reminders of the past.

Click on the image at left to see floor plan and self-tour of Mission San Miguel.  Illustration reprinted, with permission, from the brochure distributed at the Mission.

*** Mission San Miguel Arcangel Historical Postcards The following postcard photos give an idea of how Mission San Miguel Arcangel has looked over the years.   Click on any of the thumbnail photos below to see a larger version of that photo.
	This photo appeared in a 1909 brochure published by the San Luis Obispo County Chamber of Commerce.

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You may use any of the following photos
of Mission San Miguel
in your 4th grade mission project,
but please mention this website.
Thank you.

Mission San Miguel:  Front of church   shows cracks   caused by trains   passing nearby.
	Bell in portico  is held in place  with strips of  rawhide.
Front portico.
	Fountain   in front courtyard.
	Interior walls of church  show some water  damage--old buildings  need constant repairs!
Statue of   San Miguel, Arcangel   (Saint Michael,   Archangel)
Tools and Utensils  on display at the mission  include the double yoke  for oxen, right.
	Chumash grinding tools, left.
	Earthenware pots,  above.  Ranch and farm tools,  left.
The library for the Franciscan friars who live at the Mission is painted with scenes from the life of St. Francis:
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Copyright © 2001 Lynne Landwehr.  All rights reserved.
www.historyinslocounty.org