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San Antonio de Padua Mission
Photos courtesy of King
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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.
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