Mission Santa Cruz was founded in 1791 and is 12th in the mission chain. The following are important facts about Mission Santa Cruz:
Location:
130 Emmett St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Date founded:
August 28, 1791
Patron saint:
Named for the Cross of Jesus (the Holy Cross).
Founder:
Native peoples:
Goods produced:
Wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils, garbanzos and fava beans.
Features:
A half-size replica of the original mission church adjacent to the functioning parish church. You can visit restored native family housing a couple of blocks away at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
Current status:
Replicas of the mission are on the grounds of a Catholic parish. There is a nearby Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park as well.
Historical landmark number:
CA Historical Landmark no. 342
Interesting facts about Mission Santa Cruz:
In 1818 the mission was looted by settlers from the nearby town of Branciforte, who were supposed to protect it from pirates. An 1840 earthquake and tidal wave caused great damage to the mission buildings.
Important events at Mission Santa Cruz:
- 1794: Mission church dedicated.
- 1796: British explorer George Vancouver visits the mission. Tradition says he gifted grinding stones to the mission.
- July 1797: Villa of Branciforte was founded adjacent to the mission.
- 1812: Fr. Andrés Quintana, the mission priest, is killed by a group of Native Americans from the mission.
- 1818: Mission is evacuated due to attacks of pirate Hippolyte Bouchard.
- 1840: Earthquake topples the mission campanario (bell tower).
- February 1857: Earthquake destroys the mission church and outbuildings.
- 1859: President James Buchanan gives the mission buildings and 17 acres back to the Catholic Church.
Websites:
(Parish) www.holycrosssantacruz.com/mission-santa-cruz and (Park) www.parks.ca.gov