San Rafael Arcángel

San Rafael Arcángel

General Information

Founded:

December 14, 1817 - The 20th California Mission

Also Called:

Originally a hospital asistencia. Raised to full mission status on October 19, 1822.

Current Status:

The ruins of this mission were fully removed in 1870 and a modern church erected on the site. The small replica mission chapel you see today was built in 1949 and is part of the Parish of St. Rafael of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Summary:

San Rafael Archangel was founded as a hospital asistencia (sub-mission) on December 14, 1817, and given full mission status on October 19, 1822. A replica of the original chapel was built in 1919, close to Parish church of Saint Raphael. The gift shop/museum has several interesting artifacts.

Address

1104 5th Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
United States

Get Directions

Directions

San Rafael is about 15 miles north of San Francisco, reached via US 101 North. Take Exit 452 for Central San Rafael. The mission is downtown on 5th Avenue, between B Street and Court Street.

San Rafael Arcángel Mission and Church
San Rafael Arcángel Mission and Church

Phone(s)

415-456-3016 - Mission Gift Shop

415-454-8141 - Parish Office

Fees, Hours, Tours and Church Services

Please contact the mission directly by telephone or by visiting the mission website for the most current information.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is best to check for current information.

Weddings and Other Special Services

Please contact the mission directly by telephone or by visiting the mission website for the most current information.

Unique Attractions

  • This mission has a charming replica chapel built in 1949 located to the right of the large Parish church. The chapel has a distinctive star window said to be patterned after the mudéjar style window at Mission San Carlos Borroméo.
  • There is a bell rack in front of the church similar to those initially used at most of the missions in their early days. San Rafael was only a full mission for twelve (12) years before it was secularized and never built a bell tower.
  • The imposing Parish Church has a large bronze sculpture of Saint Rafael holding up a cross on the front façade of the church.
Replica of Mission San Rafael
Replica of Mission San Rafael
Modern Parish Church of St. Rafael
Modern Parish Church of St. Rafael

Tips for Visitors

  • The mission gift shop also serves as a museum. While the space is tight there is a painting of Saint Rafael and several original artifacts you will want to see.
  • The mission water came from several springs and a stream on the hill behind the parish complex. This is still the primary source of water for the city of San Rafael. You can see this hill and get the best view of both the parish church and the mission chapel from across the street.
  • While the interior of the mission chapel is modern, the quality of the work is exceptionally fine. The wrought iron chandeliers are patterned after mission-era originals.
  • There is a statue of Fr. Junípero Serra on the Fifth Avenue side of the mission chapel visible from the sidewalk.
  • It will take less than one hour to explore this site. In addition to the mission chapel and museum, the Parish Church is also inviting. Many out-of-town visitors combine a stop at San Rafael with a primary visit to the town and mission of San Francisco Solano, which can easily take a half day to fully explore.
Interior of the Mission Chapel
Interior of the Mission Chapel
Statue of Junípero Serra outside the Chapel
Statue of Junípero Serra outside the Chapel

Year Secularized

1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church

1855

Patron Saint (Named For)

Saint Rafael, patron of good health and travelers.

Prominent Missionary Leaders

  • Founding Father President - Fr. Vincente de Sarría
  • Founding Missionary - Fr. Luis Gil y Taboada

Indians Joining Mission

Primarily Coast Miwok, Wappo and Pomo.

Coast Miwok Family by Tikhanov c.1818
Coast Miwok Family by Tikhanov c.1818

Mission Site

Fifteen (15) miles north of San Francisco at the native site of Anaguani. Since San Rafael was intended to be a "hospital" Asistencia, a key consideration was that the location be in a sunnier and more protected environment than San Francisco which was foggy, damp, and windy.

The original mission buildings were razed in 1870. In 1919 the new St. Rafael Parish Church, with its imposing tower, was built on the site of the original chapel.

Mission Layout

No effort was made to build a full complex. The initial building was a structure that measured 87 feet in length and 42 feet in width. It contained a hospital, chapel, padre's quarters, and a storage area.

San Rafael Mission Era
San Rafael Mission Era

Water Source

There was ample water in the area finally selected, which had several springs and a stream.

Population

The peak mission population was 1,051 in 1826. By 1840 only 150 neophytes remained. Between 1817 and 1839, 1,902 marriages were conducted at San Rafael.

Livestock

The livestock herd was small by mission standards but important for feeding the neophytes. In 1832 the mission had 2,120 cattle, 3,000 sheep, 370 horses, and 2 hardworking mules.

San Rafael Arcángel Cattle Brand
San Rafael Arcángel Cattle Brand

Agricultural Output

In its short mission life of twelve (12) years, San Rafael had a relatively high agricultural output of approximately 97,000 bushels of grain and produce. Production centered on wheat although barley, corn, and beans were also important with peas, lentils, and chickpeas used in soups and stews.

The mission had extensive vineyards and orchards and was noted for the excellence of their pears.

Mission Church

In 1949 a replica of the original mission chapel was constructed on mission property to the right of the main church built in 1919. The replica has a star window in the Mudéjar style which is said to have been copied from that at the Carmel Mission.

Replica of Mission San Rafael
Replica of Mission San Rafael

Mission Bells

Three of the original missions bells are displayed in the mission museum. Replicas now hang from a wooden bell rack to the left of the chapel entrance.

San Rafael never had a campanario (bell tower).

Mission Art and Artifacts

The interior of the chapel is contemporary in style.

Saint Rafael Parish Church has a large bronze sculpture of San Rafael holding up a cross.

Interior of the Mission Chapel
Interior of the Mission Chapel

Significant Events

  • San Rafael was badly damaged in an Indian attack led by Chiefs Marin and Quintin in February 1828. Loyal neophytes saved the life of the mission padre, Fr. Juan Amoroso, by hiding him in the marshes.

Interesting Facts

  • Under the able leadership of Fr. Gil y Taboada, San Rafael became California's first sanitarium.
  • San Rafael maintained a substantial boat-building operation since boats were required to facilitate travel across the San Francisco Bay.
  • In 1846 John C. Fremont used the mission as his headquarters during the Mexican American War.
  • After the mission ruins were removed in 1870, all that remained of the old mission site was a solitary pear tree. In 1909, the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a bell and sign on the original site. This fraternal organization, founded in 1875, is dedicated to the historic preservation, documentation of historic structures and places in the state of California.
Indians Cross San Francisco Bay by Choris 1816
Indians Cross San Francisco Bay by Choris 1816

For Additional Information

  • Ching, J.C. (2002). Mission San Rafael Arcangel. (PowerKids Press, California Missions Series).
  • Boule, M.N. (1988). The Missions: California's Heritage #20: Mission San Rafael Arcángel.
  • Coddington, K. (1966). Mission San Rafael: A Historical Guide.