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You are here: Home / Mission San Gabriel Arcángel Facts

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel Facts

Location: 428 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Date founded: September 8, 1771

Patron saint: The Archangel St. Gabriel.

Founder: Fr. Junípero Serra, Fr. Pedro Cambón.

Native peoples: Tongva — also known as Gabrielino.

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

Features: Most distinctive of the Alta California missions, with “fortress style” church with buttresses topped by pyramid-shaped almenas, in imitation of the cathedral of Córdoba in Spain.

Current status: Roman Catholic Parish.

Historical landmark number: California Historical Landmark no. 158

Interesting facts: It was an important stop on the overland route from the south and the east. At one point Mission San Gabriel had the largest winery in Alta California.

Important dates:

  • 1775: Mission settled in final location after being moved three times.
  • 1805: New church completed.
  • Bell tower toppled during the 1812 earthquake. New campanario completed in 1828.
  • 1859: Mission property restored to the Catholic Church.

Website: www.sangabrielmissionchurch.org

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

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