U. S. Mission Trail / The Mission Trail Today - The Spanish Missions in California

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.

Mission San Antonio de Pala

Photography Gallery

Campanile

San Antonio de Pala Asistencia Main Page	Grounds	Church	Other Buildings	Campanile
image pending Exhibits	Quadrangle	Cemetery	image pending Corpus Christi Fiesta	Outlying Area

Cemetery:

The Mission cemetery is the final resting place for hundreds of Native American converts to Catholicism and other early California pioneers.

Bell Tower from Cemetery.Photo date: 1-24-04.

Photo date: 1-24-04.


Crosses and markers in the cemetery.


Statue in the cemetery.

Campanile:

Mission Pala is unique in having the only free-standing bell tower or campanile. It is believed to be inspired by a tower in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The graceful curves of the tower contrast to the straight lines of the quadrangle. The tower is about 50 feet tall, including the 15 foot base and topped with a cross and a cactus (see below). The larger (lower) of the two bells cast in Mexico is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, San Luis King, Saint Clara, and Saint Eulalia. The smaller (upper) bell is dedicated to Jesus and Mary. Mission Pala is know for being mission with a free-standing bell tower. The local people were proud of their campanile and kept it in good repair throughout the hard times. The original campanile was built on an adobe base which was undermined by a flood in 1916 and collapsed. It was quickly rebuilt on a stone and concrete base. Behind the bell tower is the "Old Luiseño Cemetery" where hundreds of Native Americans are buried.

The original Bell Tower is a copy of a tower in Ciudad Juarez, Chi, Mexico. It is unusual in that it is detached from the church building, standing isolated about 20 feet south of the church. The two bells were cast in Mexico. The larger bell is dedicated to Saint Francis, Saint Luis the King, Saint Clare, and Saint Eulalia and names Cervantes as the maker. The smaller bell is dedicated to Jesus and Mary. When the WPA rebuilt the Estancia San Bernardino, it copied this bell tower.


Campanile as seen from outside the cemetery.


Campanile as seen from outside the cemetery.

Campanile as seen from outside the cemetery. Photo date: 1-24-04.

Campanile as seen from the cemetery. Photo date: 1-24-04.


Campanile as seen from the cemetery.

Photo date: 1-24-04.

Atop the Bell Tower is a cactus. The legend of the cactus says that Father Peyri climbed the tower in 1816 to place a cross atop it to indicate that the construction of the Mission was now complete. He then planted a tiny cactus at the foot of the cross to symbolize that Christ would conquer the desert, not only of Southern California, but also of the human heart and soul. Another story tells of a bird filled with joy at nesting so close to the cross, burst into song and dropped a cactus seed into the still soft adobe.

Quadrangle:

Interior Quadrangle.

Fountain in Quadrangle.

Cross.

Shrine.

Quadrangle and garden

Statue.

Interior Quadrangle.

Avocado tree.

Native art.

Mission Folk Art. Crucifix.

Mission Folk Art. Walnut shell chain.

Surounding areas:

New Child Care facility/Learning Center.

The new Pala Casino has brought economic opportunity and tourists to the Pala Community. Disclaimer, I do not endorse gaming.

San Antonio de Pala Asistencia Main Page	Grounds	Church	Other Buildings	Campanile
image pending Exhibits	Quadrangle	Cemetery	image pending Corpus Christi Fiesta	Outlying Area

Sources:

Also:
The Story of Mission San Antonio de Pala by Father J. M. Carillo M.C.C.J. Pastor of Mission San Antonio de Pala, © April 1959. Available at Gift Shop.

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This page last updated: Tuesday, 22-Dec-2020 14:59:21 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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