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.