Early California Resource Center

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Maps
    • Other Resources
  • Teacher Membership
  • Podcast
  • Shop/Support
    • Books
    • T-shirts/mugs
You are here: Home / Mission San Buenaventura Facts

Mission San Buenaventura Facts

Location: 211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001

Date founded: March 31, 1782

Patron saint: St. Bonaventure.

Founder: Fr. Junípero Serra.

Native peoples: Chumash — also known as Ventureño

Goods produced: Wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils, garbanzos and fava beans.

Features: Whitewashed church made of adobe and ladrillo, with a buttress and bell tower attached to the façade.

Current status: Roman Catholic Parish.

Historical landmark number: California Historical Landmark no. 309

Interesting facts: San Buenaventura is the first mission founded among the Chumash people. It is also the last mission founded by Junípero Serra.

Important events:

  • 1791: First mission church burns down.
  • 1793: English explorer George Vancouver stops at mission to resupply.
  • September 9, 1809: Present church completed and dedicated.
  • Dec. 8, 1812: Mission heavily damaged in earthquake. Campanario collapsed.
  • May 23, 1862: Mission church returned to Catholic Church by President Lincoln.

Website: www.sanbuenaventuramission.org

I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I started the California Frontier Project. Learn more about me and the project here.

Free Classroom Slide Presentation

Teaching Materials for the Whole Year

Alta California Tees and More

Alta California T-shirt

Latest Articles

  • Three Californianas You Should Know
  • Mission San Francisco Solano: 10 Interesting Facts
  • Leidesdorff’s Legacy: Land and Struggle
  • San Francisco’s Overlooked Pioneer: William Alexander Leidesdorff
  • The Luiseño of Southern California
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimers

Affiliate disclosure

The California Frontier Project is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as other programs.  Affiliate advertising programs like the Amazon Associates Program are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other retailers.

Copyright © 2023 · Damian Bacich