San Deigo Historic Site 242 MISSION SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA

Long before the Sacred Expedition of 1769 arrived to found a new province, San DiegoMission had been predetermined to be the mother of California missions. The harborand its relative proximity to Mexico made the area a good base of operations. The first mission site, with the Presidio, was dedicated by Father Serra July 16, and the cross was raised where the chapel was soon to stand. The mission,like the bay and the town, is named for a Spanish Franciscan lay brother who lived in the 15th Century.

After five years within San Diego's walls, a dearth of converts caused the missionaries to relocate at an Indian village, Nipaguay, about five miles upthe San Diego River. The following year, 1775, rebellious Indians burned themission and martyred Father Luis Jayme. After a few months in the Presidio the Franciscans returned and built a new church at the burned out ruins. No more trouble developed. As the work grew, larger church buildings were needed.The present one was dedicated in 1813.

Vineyards and orchards were planted and flourished. Grain was raised by theIndians in fields around, but the wealth of the Mission was in its livestock.In 1831 it owned almost 17,000 sheep and 9,000 head of cattle. Three years laterthe management of mission propertywas taken from the priests in accordance with the decree of secularizationissued by Governor Figueroa. During and after the Mexican War the mission wasa United States Army post, for ten years.

Shortly before his death President Lincoln signed the document which returnedthe mission to the Church. The present restoration of the Mission dates from 1931.