On a Mission

Celebrating its 237th year, Mission San Diego de Alcala was the first of the 21 missions established in California. It's known as the Mother of the Missions as it is the birthplace of Christianity in the West.

Founded on July 16, 1769 by Father Junipero Serra the Mission holds a number of noteworthy designations, including a National Historic Landmark, a California Historic Landmark (#242) and a City of San Diego Historic Designation (#113). It was also designated as a Minor Basilica in 1976 by Pope Paul VI.

Its history is equally as rich. In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Spanish explorer, arrived in what is now called San Diego Bay and named it San Miguel. In 1602 Sebastian Viscaino, leading another Spanish expedition, entered the harbor and renamed it San Diego after Saint Didacus of Alcala. San Diego was also the name of his flagship for this expedition. Eventually, Franciscan friars who were in New Spain (Mexico) were ordered to move northward from Baja California and establish settlements in California. Father Serra led those missionary expeditions and established the California Mission System.

Over the course of the next two centuries, five different churches have been built on the current site. The church was enlarged over the years to accommodate the growing population of baptized American Indians. In 1812, as the fourth church was being built, a devastating earthquake damaged and destroyed several other missions and although we were spared, a decision was made to add buttress wings to secure the facade. In 1931, after changing through the hands of three countries (Spain, Mexico and the United States), Mission San Diego de Alcala was rebuilt to mirror the design of the church from 1813. Of special interest to history buffs are the large bells – one of which is original. Another large bell is made up of remnants from the original bells. All five bells are rung in unison only once a year and that is on the birthday of the mission. The large bell on the bottom is rung twice a day (at noon and at six) and before every Mass on Sunday.

Today, The Mission is an active Catholic parish in ther Diocese of San Diego and is visited by thousands of students throughout the state studying California history.

Visitors and locals alike can celebrate the anniversary of the mission in at the Festival of the Bells, July 15-16 with entertainment, food, vendors, and children’s activities. Call 619-283-7319 for more details.