Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa facts for kids
Missión San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 2011.
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 Location in California
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| Location | 728 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo, California 93401 |
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| Coordinates | 35°16′50″N 120°39′52″W / 35.28056°N 120.66444°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de San Luís Obispo de Tolosa |
| English translation | The Mission of Saint Louis Bishop of Toulouse |
| Patron | Saint Louis of Anjou, Bishop of Toulouse, France |
| Nickname(s) | "Prince of the Missions" "Mission in the Valley of Bears" "The Accidental Mission" |
| Founding date | September 1, 1772 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Presidente Junípero Serra |
| Founding Order | Franciscan |
| Military district | Third |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Chumash Obispeño |
| Native place name(s) | Tilhini |
| Baptisms | 2,644 |
| Marriages | 763 |
| Burials | 2,268 |
| Governing body | Diocese of Monterey |
| Current use | Parish Church / Museum |
| Reference no. | 325 |
| Website | |
| http://www.missionsanluisobispo.org | |
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (Spanish: Misión San Luis Obispo de Tolosa) is a historic Spanish mission located in San Luis Obispo, California. It was founded on September 1, 1772, by Father Junípero Serra. The mission was named after Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, a saint from France.
This mission has a unique design. Its bell tower and entrance area are different from other California missions. The main church area is short and narrow. However, it also has a second church area on the right side of the altar. This makes it the only L-shaped mission church in California.
Contents
History of the Mission
How the Mission Started (1772)
In 1769, explorer Gaspar de Portolá traveled through California. He passed through the San Luis Obispo area. A priest named Juan Crespí was with him. Crespí wrote that soldiers called the place "llano de los osos." This means "plain of the bears."
Later, food became scarce at the missions. Father Junípero Serra remembered the "valley of the bears." He sent a hunting group to San Luis Obispo. They found plenty of food there. This success made Father Serra think about building a mission in the area.
He realized San Luis Obispo was a great spot. It had many natural resources and good weather. The local Chumash people were also there. They could be used for labor. The mission became the fifth one founded by Father Serra. Once baptized, the Chumash were not allowed to leave the missions.
Father Serra sent a group to start building. On September 1, 1772, they put up a cross. Father Serra held the first mass. He then left Father José Cavaller in charge. The mission was named after Saint Louis, a popular saint.
Father Cavaller used Chumash labor to build temporary wooden fences and buildings. Native American tribes sometimes burned these buildings. This was a way to resist the Europeans. The buildings were then rebuilt using stronger adobe and tile.
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Around 1794, the mission began a big building project. They added buildings for the Native Americans. They also built storerooms, homes for single women, and soldier barracks. Mills were also added. The main square, called a quadrangle, was finished in 1819.
A year later, two mission bells arrived from Peru. This marked the end of major improvements for many years. In 1830, Father Luis Gil y Taboada took over. He passed away three years later. In 1842, Father Ramon Abella died. He was the last Franciscan priest at the mission for 40 years.
The Rancho Period (1834–1849)
In 1845, Governor Pío Pico sold the mission. Captain John Wilson bought it for $510. During the war with Mexico in 1846, John C. Frémont used the mission. His "California Battalion" used it as a base.
The mission fell into disrepair during this time. Priests who remained would rent out rooms. This helped them support the mission.
California Becomes a State (Since 1850)
When California joined the United States in 1850, the mission changed. It became the first courthouse and jail in San Luis Obispo County, California. The first California bishop, Joseph Alemany, asked the government to return mission lands to the Church.
Since then, the mission has seen many changes. In the 1880s, parts of the front were removed. This happened after an earthquake weakened them. People tried to "modernize" the buildings. They covered the church with wooden planks. A new bell tower was added. These changes protected the building.
In the 1930s, Father John Harnett led a big restoration. The buildings were changed back to their original mission style. Today, the mission is in the busy downtown area. It serves as a Catholic parish church.
Mission Plaza
In 1970, the Mission was recognized as the heart of San Luis Obispo. This happened with the creation of Mission Plaza. Mayor Ken Schwartz worked with students from Cal Poly. They planned to close Monterey Street in front of the mission.
Construction of the plaza began in 1969. It was officially opened in 1970. A statue of Junípero Serra was placed there. It faces the public Mission Plaza. The plaza is often used for demonstrations and protests.
Images for kids
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Pro-Palestine rally and march at the San Luis Obispo mission, California, on October 21, 2023
See also
In Spanish: Misión San Luis Obispo de Tolosa para niños
- List of Spanish missions in California
- Mission San Luis Obispo – a ship built during World War II.
- City of San Luis Obispo Historic Resources
