The California missions ended after Mexico became independent of Spain. The newly independent Mexican government eventually passed laws that called for an end to the mission system through a process called “secularization.”  Secularization: The end of the Spanish missions in California To visit the California missions today is an impressive experience. The church buildings, gardens and grounds are beautiful and well-maintained, and harken back to an earlier, more romantic period. Museum displays tell of the history of the missions, and gift shops offer all sorts of keepsakes to take with us. But if we were to travel back in time to a little over 100 years ago, we would probably…