Asistencias facts for kids
Asistencias (say: ah-sees-TEN-see-ahs) or visitas (say: vee-SEE-tas) were like small branch offices of bigger Catholic missions. They were built by the Spanish in the Americas between the 1500s and 1800s. These smaller outposts helped the Spanish church and government reach more native communities. They were a cheaper way to spread their influence.
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What Were Asistencias Like?
Asistencias were much smaller than the main missions. They usually had a small church, places for people to live, workshops, and fields for growing crops. A few priests or religious workers lived there. They also had a small group of native people who helped keep the place running.
Sometimes, an important asistencia would grow into a full mission. When this happened, the buildings would get bigger. They would add more space for priests and native people. Basic things like roads would also get better. The new mission would then be named after a Catholic saint.
Asistencias That Stayed Small
Here is a list of asistencias that remained small outposts. They were not turned into full missions. They are listed by when they were first built.
Arizona
- Visita de San Ignacio de Sonoitac was started in 1691. It was a small outpost for Mission San Cayetano de Tumacácori.
Baja California
- Visita de Calamajué was started in 1766. It was a small outpost for Misión San Francisco Borja.
- Visita de San Telmo was started in 1798. It was a small outpost for Misión Santo Domingo de la Frontera.
Baja California Sur
- Visita de San Juan Bautista Londó was started in 1699. It was a small outpost for Misión San José de Comondú.
- Visita de Angel de la Guarda was started in 1721. It was a small outpost for Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí.
- Visita de la Presentación was started in 1769. It was a small outpost for Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó.
- Visita de San Juan de Dios was started in 1769. It was a small outpost for Misión San Fernando Rey de España de Velicatá.
- Visita de San José de Magdalena was started in 1774. It was a small outpost for Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé.
California
- San Pedro y San Pablo Asistencia was started in 1786. It was a small outpost for Mission San Francisco de Asís.
- San Antonio de Pala Asistencia was started in 1816. It was a small outpost for Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.
- Santa Ysabel Asistencia was started in 1818. It was a small outpost for Mission San Diego de Alcalá.
Sonora
- Visita de San José de Ímuris was started in 1687. It was a small outpost for Misión San Ignacio de Caborica.
- Visita de Santa Teresa de Atil was started in 1692. It was a small outpost for Mission San Pedro y San Pablo del Tubutama.
Asistencias That Became Full Missions
Here is a list of asistencias that later became full missions. They are listed by when they were first built as an asistencia.
Arizona
- Mission San Cosme y Damián de Tucsón started in 1692. It was first called Visita de San Agustín for Mission San Xavier del Bac. It became a full mission in 1768.
Baja California Sur
- Misión Nuestra Señora de los Dolores del Sur Apaté started in 1721. It was first called Visita de la Pasión for Misión Nuestra Señora de los Dolores del Sur Chillá. It became a full mission in 1733.
- Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas started in 1724. It was first called Visita de Todos Santos for Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí. It became a full mission in 1733.
- Visita de la Presentación, started in 1769, closed in 1817.
California
- Mission San Rafael Arcángel started as a medical outpost for Mission San Francisco de Asís in 1817. It became a full mission in 1822.
Sonora
- Misión San Valentin del Bizani started as a small outpost for Misión San Ignacio de Caborica in 1687. It became a full mission in 1694.
- Misión San Diego de Pitiquito started as a small outpost for Misión San Ignacio de Caborica in 1689. It became a full mission in 1695.
See also
- Estancia - Spanish colonial ranch
