California Missions – San Buenaventura
Founded: March 31, 1782 – Ninth Mission
Special Designation: Mission by the Sea
Named For: Saint Bonaventure, a 13th century Franciscan cardinal and renowned philosopher.
Mission Site: The mission was located near the sizeable Indian village of Mitsquanaqa’n with about 500 inhabitants. San Beuenaventura is 70 miles north of Los Angeles in the city of Ventura, which developed around the mission.
Layout: Traditional quadrange, which was still standing as late as 1875.
Mission Church: The first church was destroyed by fire in 1793. The second church was dedicated in 1809, and reconstructed in 1816 after an earthquake. The walls are six foot thick near the base. The church had to be restored after it was “modernized” in 1893. Restoration was completed in 1957
Special Attraction: There is a well-landscaped garden with a fountain, stone grotto, and exterior displays on the east side of the church. The inviting mission museum (built in 1929) contains the original church doors and two original wooden bells, which were used during Holy Week when the metal bells were silent..
Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
