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National Register of Historic Places (1971).
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was the fourth mission, founded by Frays Pedro Cambón and Ángel Somera on orders from Father Serra in 1771. This mission played a leading role in California History as the staging ground for 11 Mexican families traveling north and west along the De Anza/Santa Fe trail to found the city of Los Angeles Present church begun 1791;
completed 1805; damaged by earthquake 1812; repaired 1828;
damaged by earthquakes, 1987 and 1994. Secularized 1834; returned
to Church by President Abraham Lincoln in 1859.
Structure and Condition
- Three original buildings remain standing at Mission San Gabriel. The present church, winery, and convento were constructed between 1791-1805. The church, convento wing, original bell tower, and winery were severely damaged in the 1987 Whittier earthquake, and with help from the Getty Conservation Institute, the mission acted quickly to apply emergency bracing pending complete repairs. However, the 1994 Northridge earthquake further damaged the buildings before permanent repairs could be made. The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave Mission San Gabriel $1.5 million for a seismic strengthening and repair of the bell tower, winery and the convento wing/museum.
Although the historic mission buildings underwent comprehensive repairs following the 1987 and 1994 earthquakes, several new cracks have been observed in the north/south running interior walls as well as the west wall of the convento wing. These cracks have continued to grow due to the rotation of the south wall away from adjacent walls. Engineering consultants could not provide an exact explanation for this outward rotation, but suspect the south wall is settling into moist soil beneath the building.
Immediate and Long-Term Funding Needs
- Stop outward rotation of moisture damaged exterior walls on sanctuary and convento wing buildings. estimated at $65,000
- Stabilize moisture damaged foundation under the convento wing, which currently houses the mission's priceless artifacts. estimated at $500,000
- Conservation of mission artwork and paintings
- Conservation of mission furniture, historical books, and original vestments
- Restoration and repair of mission statuary
Directions to
the Mission
From West: Take
I-10 east. Exit at New Avenue. Proceed north on New Avenue to
Mission Drive and turn right. The mission is on Mission Drive.
(Los Angeles County)
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