Title supplied by cataloger. La Misio´n San Diego de Alcala´, also known as San Diego Mission, is located at 10818 San Diego Mission Road. It was established on May 14, 1769 and founded on July 16th of the same year by Father Juni´pero Serra, serving as the headquarters of the Alta California Mission System from 1769 to 1771. This was the first of the 21 missions founded by Serra, and was California's first church. The Mission was originally built overlooking the bay, but remained there only five years as the water supply was not sufficient for sustaining the crops, the soil was not fertile enough, and the American Indians were intimidated by the military. The decision to relocate the Mission six miles east was approved and the new site was closer to the San Diego River and the American Indian villages. Unfortunately this new location proved to be a bit problematic, as the land was difficult to till and the water was not always plentiful. But with perseverance, the Mission eventually became more productive. Over the years, the church was enlarged to accommodate the growing population. In 1931, the Mission was rebuilt to mirror the 1813 church structure. On April 15, 1970, Misio´n San Diego de Alcala´ was designated a National Historic Landmark, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places - #70000144. It was also designated a California Historical Landmark - #242, and a City of San Diego Historic Designation - #113. In 1976, Pope Paul VI designated Misio´n San Diego de Alcala´ as a Minor Basilica. Today this Mission serves as an active Catholic parish and cultural center. Panoramic view of the main entrance to the San Diego Mission, with its campanario (bell wall) and stone arched doorway. The bells were rung at mealtimes, to call the Mission residents to work and to religious services, during births and funerals, to signal the approach of a ship or returning missionary, and at other times; novices were instructed in the intricate rituals associated with ringing the mission bells. Today, all five bells are only rung in unison once a year and that occurs on the celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the Mission in July.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;13 x 18 cm. on sheet 21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
San Diego Mission Missions, Spanish--California--San Diego Church buildings--California--San Diego Bell towers--California--San Diego Bells--California--San Diego Serra, Juni´pero,Saint,1713-1784 San Diego (Calif.)
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