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.

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#1, San Diego de Alcala

Photography Gallery

Church

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

Front. Fifth church. 1-11-04.

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. Photo date: 5-8-05.

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

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

Church and Bell Tower. 1-11-04.

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. Photo date: 5-14-06.

Altar. 11-10-02.

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. 1-11-04.