Facts About Santa Inés You Should Know Before Making A Visit

Named after Saint Agnes of Rome, the city was founded on September 17, 1804, by Father Estévan Tapís of the Franciscan order.

Saint Agnes of Rome was a 13-year-old Roman girl martyred in 304 AD. Hence, the mission was set up to serve the natives living on the Coast Range's northern side at the time.

This particular mission encouraged the growth of the first learning institution in Alta, California, which is now a museum and a parish church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Some of these missions have evolved to form major cities like San Diego, San Francisco, San Barbara, and San Jose.

History Of Santa Inés Mission

The Santa Inés mission was the 19th in a string of 21 missions established by the Franciscan fathers. The first mission was initiated in San Diego in 1769 and was called San Diego de Alcalá. Padre Junipero Serra founded these first eight missions.

The Spanish crown established these missions to control the activities of the Catholic Church in Spain and the territories belonging to it. The Spanish wanted to establish their presence in California and use their military to protect this particular land from England and Russia.

Father Romualdo Gutierrez and Father José Calzada began building and teaching the Chumash, Native American people belonging to the central and southern Californian coastal regions. The skills shared among the Padres, and the Mexican settlers were farming, ranching, weaving, and even leather making for their boots and saddles, along with the art of candle making.

After the independence of Mexico from Spain in 1821, the government of Mexico secularized the Saint Inés mission in 1835. After a while, President Abraham Lincoln returned the Mission Santa Inés to Franciscans in 1862, and later in 1904, Father Alexander Buckler tried the restoration of this mission.

Like other California missions, Santa Inés has been through earthquakes and other economic and political changes after it became a part of the United States. Father Alexander Buckler took care of the restoration in 1904. Before his arrival, the mission buildings were in a bad state.

Secularization led to Mexican Franciscans replacing Spanish Franciscans, and attending to the spiritual requirements of Chumash was the only goal after that. This new policy did not cover the well-being of the Chumash, and due to this mistreatment, they left the mission and returned to their villages. Their lands were given in land grants.

Finally, in 1924, the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers from Ireland were assigned to run the mission. They continue to serve the parish members and the community to this day.

Founding Members Of Santa Inés Mission

Father Estévan Tapís founded the Saint Inés Mission in 1804. Born in Santa Coloma de Farners in the province of Girona, he was a Spanish missionary to the Americans. He was elected president of the Spanish missions in California in 1803 and was elected three times for the same post.

He served the office from 1803-1812. He also served as the Rural Dean of the Diocese of Senora alongside his initial post.

He was responsible for handling church-related matters of the Catholics in that region. It is to be noted that in 1812, a violent earthquake destroyed the church and damaged other buildings. The work for the new church began right then.

He retired as the president of the Spanish missions in 1812 and went on to assist Father de la Cuesta at the San Juan Bautista Mission in 1815. There, he worked on educating young boys from the indigenous population.

Cultural And Social Impact Of Santa Inés Mission

On September 17, 1804, Catholic priest Estévan Tapis established Mission Santa Inés. It was the 19th Spanish mission built in Alta, California, and is among the best-maintained mission complexes in the country.

The locals were known as Chumash and as Inézeo in Spanish. On the grounds of the mission, the Chumash helped cultivate crops, raise livestock, and build an aqueduct. In 1824, a Chumash uprising against Spanish soldiers occurred at Mission Santa Inés.

Speaking of attractions, the welcome area has a formal garden, and the mission-era paintings add to the cultural quotient here. The mission cemetery is behind the bell tower. Travelers are usually excited to explore the outdoor Stations of the Cross.

Mission Santa Inés is critical to comprehending the history and cultural legacy of both Spain and Mexico. The mission was home to the first learning space and is a museum and a parish church. The National Historic Landmark is a preserved area of the California missions.

FAQs

What was the acreage of Santa Inés Mission?
In 1843, the Mexican governor of California, Micheltorena, gave 34,499 acres (139.6 sq km) of land in Santa Ynez Valley to the College of Our Lady of Refuge, the first seminary established in the area.

What happened after Mission Santa Inés was founded?
The Padres kept thorough records of baptisms, marriages, and deaths once the mission was established. The Chumash installed tile pipes in the aqueduct to transport water from the Alamo Pintado River to the reservoir and the Lavandería Brillante.

Where can I purchase a Santa Inés kit?
The Santa Inés kit can be purchased online on various websites at different prices. It is available on Amazon and Etsy. It can also be brought offline in various party and home goods stores across the United States and Mexico.

What tribes lived and worked at Santa Inés Mission?
The Santa Inés Mission was established on Chumash land. At the mission, the residents were Chumash, Franciscans, Europeans, Indians, and people of reason.

Europeans comprised the two missionary fathers. The remaining group formed the mission's security force and were classified as non-Indians. Six families from a ranch were in the second batch. All were, nonetheless, regarded as Americans.

Who built Mission Santa Inés?
Mission Santa Inés was established by Father Estévan Tapís, president of the California mission organization.