Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad facts for kids
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Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
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 Location in California
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| Location | 36641 Fort Romie Road Soledad, California 93960 |
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| Coordinates | 36°24′16.6278″N 121°21′20.9046″W / 36.404618833°N 121.355806833°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de María Santísima, Nuestra Señora Dolorosísima de la Soledad |
| English translation | The Mission of Mary Most Holy, Our Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude |
| Patron | Our Lady of Solitude, Our Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude |
| Nickname(s) | "The Holy Mission" |
| Founding date | October 9, 1791 |
| Founding priest(s) | Fermín Francisco de Lasuén |
| Founding Order | Thirteenth |
| Military district | Third |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Chalon, Esselen, Yokuts, Salinan |
| Native place name(s) | Chuttusqelis |
| Baptisms | 2,131 (by 1832) |
| Marriages | 648 (by 1832) |
| Burials | 1,705 (by 1832) |
| Secularized | 1835 |
| Returned to the Church | 1859 |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey |
| Current use | Chapel / Museum |
| Reference no. |
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Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Spanish: Misión Nuestra Señora de la Soledad), often called Mission Soledad, is a historic Spanish mission located in Soledad, California. Franciscan missionaries founded it on October 9, 1791. This was the thirteenth of 21 Spanish missions built in California. Its main goal was to teach Native Americans living in the area about Catholicism. The mission is named after Mary, Our Lady of Solitude. The town of Soledad is also named for the mission.
After 1835, the mission buildings fell into disrepair. Many materials from the mission were later used for other construction projects. A big restoration project started in 1954. A new chapel was finished and dedicated in 1955. Today, the chapel serves as a place of worship for Our Lady of Solitude. It is a parish church of the Diocese of Monterey. The priests' residence was also rebuilt and now functions as a museum.
Contents
Exploring Mission Soledad's Past
Founding the Thirteenth Mission
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad was founded on October 9, 1791. Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén established it. This made it the 13th of 21 Spanish missions in California. Its full name means "The Mission of Mary Most Holy, Our Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude."
Life at the Mission
Many Native Americans lived near Mission Soledad. These included the Chalon, Esselen, and Yokuts tribes. Missionaries invited them to live at the mission. They learned new skills and about the Catholic faith. By 1803, over 600 Native Americans lived there. Some Chalon people married Esselen speakers. Others married Yokuts people who joined the mission later.
The mission was also a working farm. It had many animals. There were about 1,150 cattle and 5,000 sheep. They also raised pigs, horses, and mules. These animals provided food and materials for the mission community.
A Spanish governor, José Joaquín de Arrillaga, visited the mission. He passed away there on July 24, 1814. He was buried in the mission chapel.
Challenges and Changes
The mission faced several challenges over time. Floods damaged the buildings in 1824, 1828, and 1832. Later, in 1835, the mission system changed. The government took control of the mission lands. This process is called secularization. After this, the mission buildings were no longer maintained. Many parts of the buildings were used for other construction projects. The mission lands became a large ranch called Rancho Ex-Mission Soledad.
Bringing Mission Soledad Back to Life
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In 1954, efforts began to restore Mission Soledad. At that time, only piles of adobe bricks and a few wall sections remained. The original chapel was carefully rebuilt. It was dedicated again on October 9, 1955. This restoration was supported by the Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Today, you can still see the ruins of the old cuadrángulo (quadrangle). This was the main courtyard area. The cemetery and some outer rooms are also visible. Governor Arrillaga's grave was found and given a new marker.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is now a special place. It serves as a Catholic chapel for worship. It also has a public museum. Visitors can learn about its long history.
See also
In Spanish: Misión Nuestra Señora de la Soledad para niños
- Spanish missions in California
- List of Spanish missions in California
- USNS Mission Soledad (AO-136) – a Buenaventura Class fleet oiler built during World War II.
