Missions
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Catholic faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to colonize the Pacific Coast region and gave Spain a valuable toehold in the frontier land. Padre Junipero Serra founded the first nine missions in California. Padre Serra is considered the Founder of California, the first Pastor to the West and an American hero. Today a number of the Missions are still being staffed by Franciscan friars who are carrying out the rich tradition of St. Francis and his path to peace making, prayer and care of the living earth.
