California Missions – Santa Clara de Asís
Founded: January 12, 1777 – Eighth of the California Missions
Named For: Saint Claire of Assisi, a 13th century Italian nun, cofoundress with San Francis of the Order of Poor Clares or Clares.
Also Called: Mission Santa Clara
Mission Site: Located on the southern end of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara, on a site originally chosen by Jan Bautista de Anza, the Spanish Pathfinder. The site was originally founded as La Mision de Santa Clara de Thamien at the Costanoan village of Socoisuka on the Guadalupe River. The mission was destroyed and rebuilt on six successive occasions.
Layout: Traditional quadrangle
Mission Church: The current church is a tasteful modern interpretation of the mission’s fifth church constructed in 1825. The 1825 church was completely destroyed in a devastating fire.
Special Attraction: The well landscaped grounds of this mission, nestled in the middle of a large university, are quite appealing. A portion of the original adobe walls have been preserved.
Current Status: An active Catholic Church of the Roman Catholic Dioces of San Jose that is the spiritual center of a modern Jesuit university.
