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San Gabriel Arcángel
The Fourth of the California Missions |
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| Founded: |
September 8, 1771 |
| Special Designation: |
Pride of the Missions |
| Named For: |
Gabriel, Holy Prince of Archangels |
| Also Called: |
Mission San Gabriel |
| Founding Father President: |
The Blessed Junípero Serra, first Father President of the California missions |
| Founding Missionaries: |
Fathers Pedro Benito Cambón and Angel Fernandez Somera y Balbuena |
| Prominent Missionary Leaders: |
Between1775 and for the next 28 years, Fathers Antonio Cruzado and Miguel Sanchez worked together to make this one of the most successful missions in California. Fr. José Zalvidea continued their work for another 20 years, and is credited with introducing large-scale viticulture to California. |
| Indians Joining This Mission: |
In the mission era these natives, who spoke one of the Cupan or Cupeño languages of the Takic family, were called Gabrieleño after the mission. Known now as the Tongva, the descendants were recognized as a distinct tribe by the State of California in 1994. They have sought Federal recognition for decades. |
| Mission Site: |
The mission was originally established along the slopes of the Montebello hills at the native site of Shevaanga, overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. In 1775 the mission was relocated to the native site of Iisanchanga "about a league" (3 miles) to the northwest. This mission is 9 miles east of downtown Los Angeles . |
| Layout: |
Traditional quadrangele, with soldier's barracks, neophyte housing, warehouses, and other structures (forming a second incomplete quadrangle) extending out from the central compound. |
| Water Source: |
The Rio Hondo and several springs fed an aqueduct, reservoirs, and a canal system that provided abundant water to the mission and its extensive vineyards, orchards, gardens, and mills. |
| Population: |
Within fifteen years of its founding San Gabriel had 1,000 neophytes. The highest population recorded was 1,701, in 1817. |
| Livestock: |
Starting with only 128 animals in 1772, the mission herd reached 42,350, primarily cattle (25,000) and sheep (15,000) at its peak in 1829. |
| Agricultural Output: |
Over its active life San Gabriel was far more productive than any other mission in California havasting over 353,000 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils and garbanzos (chickpeas). |
| Mission Church: |
The unique San Gabriel church, completed in 1805, features a Moorish, "fortress-like" appearance, with capped buttresses and long narrow windows along the prominent side wall. The style is similar to the Cathedral in Cordova Spain. |
| Mission Bells: |
Six bells occupy an espadaña or bell wall. The oldest bells were cast in Mexico City in 1795 by the famous bell maker, Paul Ruelas. The largest bell (dated 1830) weighs over a ton and was used for over a century to ring the Angelus, a prayer said at morning, noon, and evening in commemoration of the Incarnation. |
| Mission Art: |
The Stations of the Cross are said to be authentic neophyte Indian paintings. They were exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbia Expedition in commoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World. |
| Special Attraction: |
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| Significant Event(s): |
In 1846, what remained of the mission estate was granted to a Messieurs Reid and Workman on the condition that they pay all remaining claims to the mission creditors and support the mission's padres without obstructing community access to the church. The title granted to Reid and Workman was deemed invalid by the U.S. Land Commission in 1855, and the property returned to the Church in 1859. |
| Secularized: |
1834 |
| Year Returned to Catholic Church: |
1859 (decree signed by President James Buchanan). |
| Current Status: |
Active Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. |
| Responsibility: |
Claretian Missionaries have been responsible for San Gabriel since 1908. |
