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You are here: Home / Mission Santa Inés Facts

Mission Santa Inés Facts

Location: 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93464

Date founded: Sept. 17, 1804

Patron saint: St. Agnes.

Founder: Fr. Estevan Tapis.

Native peoples: Chumash — also known as Ineseño.

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

Features: Large, 3-belled espadaña bell tower; heavy side buttresses on exterior walls; Chumash wall decorations around the altar.

Current status: Roman Catholic Parish.

Historical landmark number: California Historical Landmark no. 305; National Historical Landmark

Interesting facts: Natives at Mission Santa Inés staged a revolt against the military in 1824. The mission campanario (bell tower) collapsed in a rainstorm in 1911.

Important events:

  • 1804: Temporary church built.
  • Dec. 21, 1812: Church and buildings destroyed by earthquake.
  • July 4, 1817: New church and buildings dedicated.
  • Feb. 21, 1824: Indians at the mission rise up as part of larger Chumash revolt.
  • 1844: Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners Seminary founded at Mission Santa Inés (first center for training of priests in Alta California).
  • May 23, 1862: President Lincoln signs proclamation restoring church and buildings to the Catholic bishop of Monterey.

Website: www.missionsantaines.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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