U. S. Mission Trail / The Mission Trail Today - The Spanish Missions in California
Slide Show This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
Select photographs of my many visits to The Missions of the United States South and Southwest built by Spain and Mexico between 1565 and 1823.
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2013.

Explanation.

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Asistencia

#1, San Diego de Alcala

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Church

San Diego
Mission
Main Page
Grounds
Grounds
Church
Church
Other Buildings
Other Buildings
Exhibits
Exhibits
Archeological Excavation
Archeological Excavation
Garden
Garden
Mission Dam
Mission Dam
Surrounding Area
Surrounding Area
Original Site - Presidio Hill
Original Site
Presidio Hill

San Diego de Alcala
Front. Fifth church. 1-11-04.
Altar
Church. 1-11-04.

The church is 150 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 29 feet high. The width was kept narrow because of the height of available trees. The high windows provided protection and reduced weight. Oiled skins were used over the windows because glass was difficult to make. After secularization, the Mormon Battalion of the U.S. Cavalry added a second floor to the church to be used as barracks with the lower level as a stable. The Army of the Pacific used the Mission from 1851 to 1858 and it remained as Army Headquarters until 1862 when President Lincoln returned the Missions to the Catholic church. In 1931 the church was restored to the specifications and appearance of 1813. Adobe bricks in the baptistry, Wooden headers over the doors, and the dark floor tiles are original.

Church
Church. Photo date: 5-8-05.
Church
Church. Photo date: 5-8-05.


Church front. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Church front. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Church and Bell Tower
Church and Bell Tower. 1-11-04.
Church
Church. Photo date: 5-8-05.


Front facade of the church.


The doors are replicas made of redwood with carvings based on the original design. The emblem over the doors is the papal insignia signifying Mission San Diego as minor basilica, an honor bestowed by Pope Paul VI in 1976.

Front facade of the church.

Front facade of the church.

Front facade of the church.

Church side entrance
Church side entrance. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Church
Altar. 11-10-02.
Church interior door
Church interior door. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Church interior. looking forward.

Church interior. looking forward. The statues in the niches along the corridor are of the saints for whom the nine Missions founded by Padre Serra were named, in order of each Mission's founding.


The statues in the niches along the corridor are of the saints for whom the nine Missions founded by Padre Serra were named, in order of each Mission's founding.

Bell Tower
Bell Tower. 1-11-04.
Bell Tower
Bell Tower. 1-11-04.

Bell Tower
Bell Tower. 1-11-04.

Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.


Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.


Bell tower. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Campanile.


Detail of the front steps.

San Diego
Mission
Main Page
Grounds
Grounds
Church
Church
Other Buildings
Other Buildings
Exhibits
Exhibits
Archeological Excavation
Archeological Excavation
Garden
Garden
Mission Dam
Mission Dam
Surrounding Area
Surrounding Area
Original Site - Presidio Hill
Original Site
Presidio Hill

Sources:

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CA Main Page
By Founding Date
Next Mission
CA Main Page
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Next Mission
Home Page/Map
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This page last updated: Sunday, 06-Feb-2022 15:05:22 CST
Note:This is not the official site for any of the places shown in US Mission Trail. US Mission Trail is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, and exhibits are subject to change without notice.

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I hope that you find this web site helpful. It started because of my love for the California Missions and interest in History and a desire to share my photographs and tales of my adventures. I don't allow paid advertising. This web site is for your benefit and enjoyment and I make no profit on it. For twenty years it has been supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer. A non-tax deductable donation helps cover the cost of operating this web site and may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal.
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