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National Historic Landmark. Santa Barbara Mission is known as "Queen of the Missions," as it is the only mission with twin bell towers. It is the only mission to remain continuously in Franciscan hands. Santa Barbara Mission was the site of major reforms that ended corporal punishment in the mission era. The mission church houses a Chumash-made altar and tabernacle, the last in existence today. Santa Barbara is one of three stone missions (Carmel and San Juan Capistrano are the other two). The mission heritage garden contains heirloom varieties of mission era plants.
Santa Barbara is the tenth mission, founded on December 4, 1786 by Fr. Lasuén. The third church (built in 1794) was destroyed by the 1812 earthquake. The Present church begun was built 1815-1820. A second tower was added in 1831. This church was damaged by an earthquake in 1925, and the facade was reconstructed in 1950.
Santa Barbara Mission contains extensive original structures, including the convento wing (1790s), a fountain, the lavanderia (Chumash carvings on this structre are considered the first instance of public sculpture in California) and the sanctuary building. Both the sanctuary and convento have been retrofitted, but past restoration methods used in the early 20th century left pillar and wall surfaces crumbling off.
Immediate and Long-Term Funding Needs:
- Resurface any areas that were treated in the early 20th century to prevent further erosion and moisture retention of mission walls and pillars.
- Upgrade museum including replacement of display cases,
climate control, lighting, and security system to protect
mission artifacts.
- Archeological survey to reconstruct Chumash Indian house
in interpretive area.
- Conservation of mission artwork and artifacts.
Directions to
the Mission
Northbound:
From US-101 south, exit and turn on Mission. Left onto Laguna
Street. Left onto East Los Olivos Street.
Southbound:
From US-101 north, exit and turn right on Mission. Left onto
Laguna and left onto East Los Olivos Street. (Santa Barbara
County)
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