HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of the MissionMission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
In the Beginning
The road that would lead to the
founding of the Mission
began in 1769.
New Spain, represented by the
visitor general, Joseph de
Galvez, determined that the
vast territory of Alta
California must be settled to
protect Spain’s interest from
both Russia and England.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Galvez’s collaboration with Father Serra brought the Franciscan to San Diego.
Father Serra traveled to San Diego and along the way, on September 1, 1772, he dedicated California’s fifth mission San Luis, Obispo de Tolosa. (St. Louis, Bishop of Toulouse.)
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Father Serra entrusted the Mission to Padre Jose Cavaller, the father of the mission. It was Cavaller and many other padres who labored to baptize and convert the native Chumash.
Over the years, the Mission fared better than most missions. It never ceased being a Catholic church and has not had to totally rebuild its main buildings.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Mission Plaza
Dedicated in 1970, the city owned Mission Plaza emphasizes the central location of the Mission in both earlier and contemporary times.
The fountain to the right of the Mission depicts a grizzly bear and a native Chumash child (Tuguski & Suwa in Chumash).
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Convento Wing
The convento was the Padres residence and was used by priests until a new rectory was built in 1951.
The Mission Gift shop and museum currently occupy most of the first floor. The wing also housed the first county jail, school and courthouse.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Portico/Bell Loft
The most unique architectural feature of the Mission is the combination portico/bell loft. The Mission bells are from left the Sorrowful, Gloria and Joyful bells.
Installed in 1820, they were used to announce guests, sounded the fire alarm, gave notice of births and deaths as well as called the faithful to prayers.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Padre Junipero Serra Statue
The life-size statue of Franciscan Padre Junipero Serra (1713-1784) was a gift to almost every California Mission by the Hannon Foundation.
Pivotal to the history of the Missions in California, Padre Serra sang the first Mass on September 1, 1772.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Church Nave
Built in the early 1790’s, the interior of the original nave looked quite different from today.
There were no pews, the walls were whitewashed with few icons or paintings, the altar on the sanctuary was positioned so that the priest’s back was to the faithful and the floor was packed dirt.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Art
The key to understanding Mission art is that its purpose was for illustration, not decoration. The illustrations were provided for their instructional or inspirational value and not artistic merit.
Most of the paintings date from the eighteenth century and the statues from a later date.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Padres who served
Father Cavaller was the first padre of the Mission. He was born in Spain in 1740 and died in 1789. Padre Antonio Rodriguez served from 1812 to 1821 when he was transferred to La Purisima Mission.
A complete list of the priests serving at the Mission can be found in a memorial in the garden.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Sanctuary
Often misnamed as the altar, the sanctuary is most often used for the celebration of the mass.
The statue of the Blessed Mother (without her halo) is to the left. There are angel heads on the base. Joseph, the patron saint of the original expedition to California, is to the right holding the infant Jesus.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Patron St. Louis
The statue is our patron St. Louis born in February of 1274 at Brignoles, France the son of Charles II.
Louis proved to be a good choice as the pious young man gave alms to the poor and begged for them in the streets of Toulouse. Always sickly, he died at the age of twenty-threes. He was canonized in 1317.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Crucifix
Traditionally, the Missions placed an image of the Patron Saint on the back wall of the sanctuary where the statue of St. Louis was placed until the recent redecorating.
The initial INRI above the crucifix are from the Gospel of John (19:19).
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Baptismal Font
The Baptism was considered the most imperative task for the Padres.
By 1941, 2909 baptisms were performed at the Mission.
The original hammered copper basin is still used today.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Annex
The only Mission with this configuration, the first annex of red brick (16x20 feet) was built in 1893 while the extension to it as well as the lean-to in 1948.
For the latter addition, the restorer of the Carmel Mission, Harry Downie, lent his expertise.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Candle Room & Chapel
The custom of lighting a candle while saying a prayer complements the image that the smoke of the candle carries the prayer to heaven.
The statues; Mary as Our Lady of Fatima and The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pieta as Mary holds the crucified body of Jesus and St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Beauty
The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy depicts the child Jesus held by Mary. The frightened look on his face is attributed to His seeing His eventual crucifixion as represented by the smaller angels.
Colors are symbolic: gold signifies holiness; blue is Mary’s color, and red, virginity.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Tabernacle
The most precious item in this and any other Catholic Church is the consecrated hosts contained in the locked tabernacle.
Above the tabernacle, the candle always remains lit as a reminder that Jesus is present. The crucifix behind the tabernacle is the main crucifix of the mission.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Garden Exit
The modern garden is a smaller rendition of a much larger quadrangle which used to exist.
Within this area were a multitude of shops for weaving, tanning, candle making, leather rendering and other necessary Mission activities.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Wishing Well
The tiles above the well are some of the oldest at the Mission. The wishing well was built as a way to raise funds.
The padres were not allowed to use money – most was utilized for church needs.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Memorial
At the end of the grape arbor is a list of all the priests and sisters serving the Mission starting with Father Serra.
Obligated to serve ten years for this voluntary assignment, there were usually two friars per mission. Between 1769 and 1833, there were only 127 Franciscans in California.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Grape Arbor
Grapes were grown for drinking and sacramental use.
California’s vast grape industry can trace much of its history to the padres’ plantings. It is a beautiful spot to sit and rest while visiting the Mission.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Youth Center
This building was originally roofless and used as the Mission’s kitchen.
With hundreds of neophytes living near the Mission, cooking was a major task. The exposed wall dates from the mid-1780 or 90’s.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
For more information about Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa visit:
www.missionsanluisobispo.org