San Antonio de Padua Mission Photos courtesy of King City

The third in the chain of 21 Franciscan missions, San Antonio de Padua Mission was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1771. Indians living at the mission were taught special skills and constructed a unique water-powered flour mill to grind grain. The present adobe church building was begun in 1810 under the supervision of Fathers Cabot and Juan Bautista Sancho and completed in 1813. Construction activity continued at the Mission compound until 1829. After secularization, the mission was abandoned. Most of the Spanish missions are now surrounded by urban areas, however, Mission San Antonio de Padua retains its rural, pastoral setting in the "Valley of the Oaks." Serious restoration efforts for the mission were begun in the 1930s following careful excavations of the mission site.

Mission San Antonio de Padua is located 5 miles northwest of Jolon, off of Del Ventura Rd. The mission is open 8:00am till dark. For more information call 831-385-4478.