Mission San Antonio de Padua facts for kids
The reconstructed Mission San Antonio de Padua as it appeared in 2006; construction on the Mission first began in 1810. The baked brick Campanario is unique among California Missions.
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | near Jolon, Monterey County, California |
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| Coordinates | 36°00′54″N 121°15′00″W / 36.01500°N 121.25000°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de San Antonio de Padua |
| English translation | The Mission of Saint Anthony of Padua |
| Patron | Saint Anthony of Padua |
| Nickname(s) | "Mission of the Sierras" |
| Founding date | July 14, 1771 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Junípero Serra |
| Founding Order | Third |
| Military district | Third |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Salinan |
| Native place name(s) | Telhaya |
| Baptisms | 4,419 |
| Marriages | 1,142 |
| Burials | 3,617 |
| Secularized | 1834 |
| Returned to the Church | 1862 |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey |
| Current use | Parish Church |
| Designated | 1976 |
| Reference no. | 76000504 |
| Designated | 1937 |
| Reference no. | 232 |
| Website | |
| http://www.missionsanantonio.net | |
Mission San Antonio de Padua is a historic Spanish mission located in Monterey County, California, near the town of Jolon. It was founded on July 14, 1771, by Father Junípero Serra. This mission was the third one established in Alta California and was special because it was the first to use fired tile roofing. Today, Mission San Antonio de Padua serves as a parish church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey and is a popular place for visitors to learn about California's past.
Mission San Antonio de Padua: A California Landmark
The Mission's Early Days
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Founding and First Steps
Mission San Antonio de Padua was the third mission built in Alta California. It was located along the very first route of the Camino Real, which was a historic road connecting the missions. The mission's first location was a bit far from a good water source, which was later found closer to the Salinas River.
Father Junipero Serra officially started the mission on July 14, 1771. He dedicated it to Saint Anthony of Padua, who was born in Portugal in 1195 and is known as the patron saint of the poor. Father Serra left Fathers Miguel Pieras and Buenaventura Sitjar to continue the work. The main church building itself began construction much later, in 1810.
Life for Native People at the Mission
In 1805, about 1,300 native people lived at the mission. Most were from the Salinan tribe, but some were also Yokuts and Esselen. By 1810, the number of native people living at the mission had decreased to 178. After the missions were no longer run by the church in 1834, about 150 native people remained. Unlike many other missions, a town did not grow up around Mission San Antonio.
Changes Over Time
In 1845, the Mexican Governor Pío Pico announced that all mission buildings in Alta California were for sale. However, no one bought Mission San Antonio. After almost 30 years, in 1863, the mission was returned to the Catholic Church. Later, in 1894, some of the mission's old roof tiles were used for the Southern Pacific Railroad depot in Burlingame, California. This was one of the first buildings designed in the Mission Revival Style.
Bringing the Mission Back to Life
Rebuilding After Challenges
Efforts to restore Mission San Antonio began in 1903. Andrew Garriga, a local pastor, and the California Historical Landmarks League started organizing trips to the mission. Groups like the Native Sons of the Golden West helped by donating money. They worked to clear out debris and repair damaged walls.
Unfortunately, a major earthquake in 1906 caused serious damage to the building again. It took nearly 50 years for the mission to be fully restored. In 1928, Franciscan friars began holding services there once more.
More recently, the State of California required significant upgrades to make the mission safer from earthquakes. This work was completed by 2015. Many families and supporters helped keep the mission open and raised funds for these important repairs.
Mission San Antonio Today
A Living Parish and Historic Site
Even though it's still called a mission, Mission San Antonio de Padua no longer focuses on its original mission work. Instead, it serves as a local parish church. It's also a popular place for group gatherings, and it has gift shops and a museum with picnic areas for visitors.
In 2005, the Franciscan Friars transferred the care and ownership of the mission to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey. Under their leadership, the mission continues to be a vibrant Catholic parish and a significant historical site.
Exploring the Mission's Surroundings
Today, Mission San Antonio de Padua is located in a peaceful valley along the San Antonio River, surrounded by the Santa Lucia Mountains. The nearest city, King City, is about 29 miles away, and the small town of Jolon is six miles from the mission. Historians believe this quiet location gives a great idea of what early mission life was like.
The mission is surrounded by the Fort Hunter Liggett Military Reservation. The U.S. Army bought this land from the Hearst family during World War II to train soldiers. In 1950, more land was added to the mission area, making it over 85 acres. The fort is still used for military training today.
Mission San Antonio de Padua is also one of the special places you can visit along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
As of 2013, Franciscan Friar Jeff Burns was in charge of the Mission.
Images for kids
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Inside the Mission San Antonio de Padua church, looking towards the altar.
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The Mission Courtyard in December 2023.
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A wooden ship sculpture found during excavations at Mission San Antonio de Padua.
See also
In Spanish: Misión San Antonio de Padua para niños
- The Hacienda (Milpitas Ranchhouse) – the nearby Mission Revival Style guest-ranch house [now hotel] built in 1930 by W.R. Hearst.
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- List of Spanish missions in California
- List of tourist attractions in Monterey County, California
- Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad – next mission located north
- Mission San Miguel Arcángel – next mission located south
- Spanish missions in California
- USNS Mission San Antonio (T-AO-119), a Buenaventura-Class fleet oiler built in 1944
