Adventure 49/101, Mission 12 - Mission San Buenaventura

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 49/101 - 12 : Mission San Buenaventura, 9th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 16, 2012

Location: Ventura

Description:

We got to Mission San Buenaventura around 5:30 after our drive from San Diego. So we got to tour the outside of mission. From the outside, it looks like a grand place. The fountain across the street, the cleanliness of the area and the exhibits in the adjacent park all give an inviting aurora to the place.

From Wikipedia site:
Mission San Buenaventura is a Spanish mission founded by the Franciscan order in present-day Ventura, California. Founded on March 31, 1782, it was the ninth Spanish mission established in California, and the last to be established by Father Junípero Serra. Named for Saint Bonaventure, the mission is the namesake of the city of Ventura (officially "San Buenaventura") and Ventura County.
Mission San Buenaventura was planned to be founded in 1770, but the founding was delayed because of the low availability of the military escorts needed to establish the mission.

In 1893, Father Cyprian Rubio "modernized" the interior of the church, painting over the original artwork; when he finished, almost nothing remained of the old church. New priests restored the church to its original style in 1957. Today all that remains of the original Mission is the church and its garden.

From California Missions Resource Center site:
Water Source: A seven-mile-long earth and masonry zanja or aqueduct brought water from the Ventura River.
Mission Art: The high altar and its reredos orginated in Mexico and were installed when the church was dedicated in 1809. The Shrine of the Crucifixion on the left side of the church contains a four hundred-year old bulto.
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.

Interesting Facts: 

San Buenaventura was intended to be the 3rd mission, but its founding was postponed for thirteen years, and so it became the 9th mission established.
In the mission era whaling ships anchored near the mission to replenish their food lockers and trade for cured cattle hides (called Yankee Dollars).
Captain George Vancouver met Fr. Dumetz at the mission in 1793 and named Point Dume, between Point Magu and Malibu, after the friar.









From California State Parks site:

The ninth mission in the chain was founded on Easter Sunday in 1782 by Father Serra and dedicated to St. Bonaventure. It was the last mission the humble priest would christen. Restored in 1957, the facade exhibits an unusual triangular design which opens into the gardens. A museum exhibits artifacts that include two old wooden bells, the only ones of their type known in California. Situated three blocks from the ocean, the mission fronts on the main street of Ventura.
225 E. Main St., Ventura, 93001, (805) 648-4496