A Franciscan mission in
California at the end of the 18th century
Authors: Arnau Gandia and Rubén Diago (Valencia)
The Spanish developed strong missionary activity in the southern United States,
with intense efforts to bring the Gospel to America. The Franciscan missions were
religious and community establishments that the friars established in the current
California during the 18th century to spread Christianity among Native Americans and
establish Spanish colonies in the region.
A mission began with a Franciscan carrying a portable chapel and several
soldiers who guarded him. Having chosen a place, the friars built some cabins to
to stay, little by little they tried to gain the trust of the natives, they invited them to
settle in the vicinity of the mission and thus they were initiated into Christianity. The mission
grew and a church was built, housing for both the friars and the natives and
also infrastructure.
The friars not only spread Christianity, but also introduced the
agriculture, herding cattle and sheep, they were taught manufacturing techniques
craftsmanship, as well as notions of carpentry and masonry.
The introduction of agriculture and livestock was a key element since
provided a stable and long-lasting food source for the inhabitants of the region and
surpluses could be used for trade. The friars mainly introduced
cereal crops, vineyards, orchards and olive trees and had notable success on the one hand
thanks to the irrigation systems they implemented and on the other hand thanks to the fact that the climate was
very similar to the Mediterranean in Spain.
In addition to working on the missions, the natives also participated in
community and cultural activities. Many missions had schools where
indigenous people learned about our culture, language and the Christian religion.
It is evident that the establishment of a mission was a culture shock
important and in some cases generated conflicts between the friars and some tribes that did not
accepted their presence, abuse by some settlers or the introduction
involuntary disease of European diseases. Despite this, the missions had an impact
very positive in many aspects of the natives' lives: they learned to cultivate
food, skills and trades, they benefited from the teaching and protection given to them.
offered and also a positive impact on the region since, over time, the
mission grew and towns were formed around where other natives, settlers, settled.
and mestizo families.
The Franciscan missions in California remain an important part of the
history of the region and have left a lasting legacy in the culture and architecture of
California. Many of these missions are still standing and have been restored and
preserved as important historical and tourist sites.