Mission Santa Inés facts for kids
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Mission Santa Inés in 2005
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang, California 93464 |
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| Coordinates | 34°35′40″N 120°8′13″W / 34.59444°N 120.13694°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de Nuestra Santa Inés, Virgen y Mártir |
| English translation | The Mission of Saint Agnes of Rome, Virgin and Martyr |
| Patron | Saint Agnes of Rome |
| Nickname(s) | "Hidden Gem of the Missions" |
| Founding date | September 17, 1804 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Presidente Pedro Estévan Tápis |
| Founding Order | Nineteenth |
| Military district | Second |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Chumash Inéseño |
| Native place name(s) | 'Alahulapu |
| Baptisms | 1,348 |
| Marriages | 400 |
| Burials | 1,227 |
| Secularized | 1836 |
| Returned to the Church | 1862 |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles |
| Current use | Parish Church / Museum |
| Reference no. | 99000630 |
| Designated | 1999 |
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Mission Santa Inés (also called Santa Ynez) is a historic Spanish mission. It is located in what is now Solvang, California, in the United States. The mission was named after Saint Agnes of Rome.
Father Estévan Tapís of the Franciscan order started the mission on September 17, 1804. Its location was chosen because it was halfway between Mission Santa Barbara and Mission La Purísima Concepción. This helped to ease crowding at those two missions. It also served the Native Americans living north of the Coast Range.
Sunset magazine called it the "Hidden Gem of the Missions." They said it looked like a classic old mission. Mission Santa Inés was home to the first school in Alta California (which is now California). Today, it is a museum and a church for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It is also a National Historic Landmark and is known as one of the best-preserved missions in California.
Contents
History of Mission Santa Inés
On December 21, 1812, a big earthquake hit near Santa Barbara. This earthquake destroyed most of the original church at Mission Santa Inés. It also damaged other mission buildings. However, the mission was not abandoned.
A new church was built with very thick walls and large pine beams. These beams were brought from nearby Figueroa Mountain. This new church was officially opened on July 4, 1817. In 1819, a water-powered grist mill (a mill for grinding grain) was built near the church.
In 1821, a fulling mill was added. This mill was designed by an American immigrant named Joseph John Chapman. He also helped build a grist mill for Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. Chapman was an important builder for the missions.
The Chumash Revolt of 1824
On February 21, 1824, a soldier mistreated a young Chumash native. This event, along with other concerns, led to a major uprising. The Chumash revolt of 1824 began a week later.
During the fighting, a fire started at the mission. The native people themselves helped put out the fire. After the revolt, many Chumash left the mission. They joined other tribes in the mountains or worked on settlers' ranches. Only a few Chumash stayed at the mission.
Changes and Challenges
In 1833, the missions in California began to be secularized. This meant the Mexican government took control from the Franciscan priests. By 1835, Mission Santa Inés was secularized. The priests were now only allowed to focus on the spiritual needs of the Chumash.
Under this new system, the Chumash were not treated well. Many left the mission. Their land was then given to settlers.
In 1843, the Mexican governor of California, Micheltorena, gave a large piece of land to the College of Our Lady of Refuge. This college was the first seminary (a school for training priests) in California. It was started at the mission by Francisco García Diego y Moreno, the first bishop of California. The college closed in 1881. By then, the mission buildings were falling apart.
In 1853, a highwayman named Jack Powers briefly took over Mission Santa Inés. He wanted to steal cattle from a rancher nearby. However, he was stopped without any fighting. He left the area by 1855.
Modern Restoration Efforts
The Danish town of Solvang grew up around the mission in the early 1900s. Father Alexander Buckler started rebuilding the mission in 1904. However, major restoration work did not happen until 1947. The Hearst Foundation gave money for this big project.
Today, the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers continue to restore the mission.
Indigenous People at the Mission
The Alta California mission system was created by Catholic priests of the Franciscan order. Their goal was to teach Native Americans about Christianity. The missionaries also brought European fruits, vegetables, cattle, and horses. They introduced new farming and ranching methods.
The native people at Santa Inés worked as laborers. The mission's farming changed the local environment a lot. For example, peas, squash, potatoes, olives, grapes, and pears were introduced. European plants and weeds quickly spread across California's coast after the missions were built.
Many Native Americans in missions suffered from European diseases. They had no natural protection against these illnesses. However, studies show that the Santa Barbara Channel Missions, including Santa Inés, had a different pattern. While there were diseases, women and children had much higher death rates than men. This suggests that the crowded living conditions at the missions played a big role in spreading diseases. These conditions were part of the mission's plan to change the native culture and religion.
Restoration of the Mission
Mission Santa Inés is one of the oldest buildings still standing in California. It needs constant work to repair and restore it. Many people have worked hard over the years to keep this historic landmark safe.
Past efforts have included fixing buildings made of adobe (dried mud). Adobe structures can easily crack from weather, ground shifts, and earthquakes. Without proper care, the mission's walls would crack, and its artwork would fade.
The church members are mostly responsible for restoring Mission Santa Inés. However, others have also helped. The mission does not get money from the state or federal government. Instead, it gets funds from museum entrance fees, fundraisers, and donations from people and groups. Donations from private foundations, like the California Mission Foundation, have also greatly helped restoration efforts.
Gallery
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Mission Santa Inés around 1912. The original bell tower fell in a storm in 1911. This concrete tower was built to replace it. It was later replaced again in 1948 to look like the original three-niched design.
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Santa Ines marker
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Santa Ines in 1982
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Mexican soldiers moving toward La Purísima Concepción Mission during the Chumash revolt of 1824. Painting by Alexander Harmer.
See also
- Spanish missions in California
- List of Spanish missions in California
- USNS Mission Santa Ynez (AO-134) — a ship built during World War II.
- History of Santa Barbara, California
- California Historical Landmarks in Santa Barbara County, California
