La Purísima Mission facts for kids
La Purísima Mission
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California 93436 |
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| Coordinates | 34°40′13.692″N 120°25′14.2206″W / 34.67047000°N 120.420616833°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de La Purísima Concepción de la Santísima Virgen María |
| English translation | The Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Patron | The Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Nickname(s) | "The Linear Mission" |
| Founding date | December 8, 1787 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Fermín Lasuén |
| Founding Order | Eleventh |
| Headquarters of the Alta California Mission System | 1815–1819 |
| Military district | Second |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Chumash Purisimeño |
| Native place name(s) | Laxshakupi, 'Amuwu |
| Baptisms | 3,255 |
| Marriages | 1,030 |
| Burials | 2,609 |
| Secularized | 1834 |
| Returned to the Church | 1874 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Current use | Museum |
| Designated | 1970 |
| Reference no. | #NPS-70000147 |
| Designated | 1970 |
| Reference no. | #340 |
| Website | |
| https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=598 | |
Mission La Purísima Concepción, also known as La Purísima Mission, is a historic Spanish mission located in Lompoc, California. Its full original name means "The Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary." The mission was founded on December 8, 1787, by the Franciscan order.
The first mission buildings were destroyed by a big earthquake in 1812. After the earthquake, the mission was rebuilt a few miles northeast of its original spot. Today, La Purísima Mission is part of the La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. It is managed by the California State Parks system. It is one of only two California missions not controlled by the Catholic Church. It is also the only complete Spanish Catholic mission complex in California. In 1970, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
Contents
History of La Purísima Mission
The First Mission Location
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Mission La Purísima was first built in an area the Chumash people called Algsacpi. The Spanish called it the plain of Río Santa Rosa. This spot was about one mile south of Lompoc. The Chumash people living near the mission spoke the Purisimeño language.
The mission was founded on December 8, 1787, by Father Fermín Lasuén. He was a Spanish Franciscan missionary and the president of the Franciscan missions. He founded nine of the twenty-one Spanish missions in California, including the original La Purísima. This was the 11th mission built in California.
By 1803, the number of Chumash people living at the mission had grown to 1,436. The mission also had many animals, including 3,230 cattle, 5,400 sheep, 306 horses, and 39 mules. In the same year, they harvested a lot of wheat, corn, and beans.
The first mission was a large, square building made of adobe bricks. It was 330 feet on each side. It had many rooms for the two priests, the Chumash people, a chapel, soldiers, and separate living areas for married and unmarried people. At its busiest, about 1,520 Chumash people lived there. The mission also had large areas for growing crops and for animals to graze.
On December 21, 1812, a powerful earthquake severely damaged the mission buildings. The original mission site is now a California State Historical Landmark. You can find the ruins at 508 South F Street in Lompoc.
Building the Second Mission
After the earthquake, Father Mariano Payeras got permission to move the mission. The new location was about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast, in an area known to the Chumash as Amúu. The new La Purísima Mission officially opened on April 23, 1813.
Workers used materials saved from the earthquake-damaged buildings to construct the new mission. The new buildings were finished within ten years.
The Chumash Revolt of 1824
After Mexico became independent from Spain in 1823, the Spanish government stopped sending money to the soldiers at the nearby Santa Barbara military base. Many soldiers at the mission were not getting paid. They often treated the local Chumash people badly.
One day, a soldier reportedly beat a Chumash person at Mission Santa Inés. This event led to the Chumash revolt of 1824. The revolt started at Mission Santa Inés and quickly spread to La Purísima Mission. The Chumash people took control of La Purísima Mission for about a month. More soldiers eventually arrived from Monterey and regained control. Many Chumash people left the mission after the revolt. However, many who had hidden in the mountains returned later.
From 1834 to 1843, the Mexican government took control of the California missions from the Catholic Church. This process is called secularization. The buildings of La Purísima Mission were left empty and fell apart. The land became private property.
Restoration in the 20th Century
In 1933, the Union Oil Company gave some land to the State of California. By 1934, only nine of the mission buildings were still standing.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped restore the mission. The CCC was a program that employed young men during the Great Depression. They agreed to restore the mission if enough land was provided to make it a historic landmark. The Catholic Church and the Union Oil Company donated enough land for the CCC to begin the restoration.
The CCC fully restored the nine main buildings, many smaller structures, and the original water system. The mission was officially rededicated on December 7, 1941. This was the same day the United States entered World War II. Today, La Purísima Mission is the only complete mission complex in California.
As of 2011, it was considered the most fully restored Spanish mission in California. Ten of the original buildings are now completely restored and furnished. These include the church, shops, living quarters, and a blacksmith shop. The mission gardens and farm animals show what life was like in the 1820s. Special "living history" events are held throughout the year. A visitor center offers information, displays, and artifacts. A self-guided tour allows visitors to experience a glimpse into California's past.
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
La Purísima Mission is now part of the La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. This park is part of the California State Parks System. It is located outside Lompoc, California. The park covers 1,934 acres (783 ha) and was created in 1935. The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) maintains the park, which has a visitor center and offers guided tours.
In 2008, La Purísima Mission State Historic Park was one of many state parks that faced possible closure. However, these closures were avoided by reducing hours and maintenance across the state park system.
Historic Designations
La Purísima Mission has received several important historical recognitions:
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS-78000775 – This is for the original La Purisima Mission site.
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS-70000147 – This is for the current La Purisima Mission State Historic Park.
- California Historical Landmark #928 – This marks the original La Purisima Mission site.
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail – The mission is a designated Historic Site along this National Park Service trail.
Gallery
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The ruins of Mission La Purísima Concepción, c. 1900.
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Visitor Center at La Purisima Mission State Historical Park
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Side view of La Purisima Mission
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La Purisima Mission State Historical Park picnic area
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Bell Tower of La Purisima Mission
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Library
See also
In Spanish: Misión La Purísima Concepción para niños
