Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
TimeLine
1769 .....First visit in area from Father Crespi
1771 .....Father Serra passed through area, talked to local people.
1891 .....October 9th, mission was established.
1792 .....Temporary church was erected.
1797 .....First permanent adobe church was built.
1805 .....Church was enlarged, thatched roof was replaced by tile.
1824 .....Flooding from the river destroyed the church, a smaller chapel was rebuilt.
1824 .....More flooding, the chapel was destroyed, rebuilding was slow.
1832 .....Again more flooding of the river, and an earthquake damaged the buildings; part of a
remaining storehouse was converted to be the chapel.
1834 .....Mission "secularized" control by the government.
1835 .....Father Sarria, who had served as priest, had died. The mission was abandoned; buildings began to decay.
1846 .....The mission was sold. Roof tiles and other items were sold to pay debt to the Mexican government. The buildings were used as a ranch house for a few years, than abandoned.
1859 .....The buildings and 42 surrounding acres were returned to the Catholic Church. The property was deserted and continued to deteriorate.
1954 .....Under the care of the Native Daughters of the Golden West a restoration project was started. The small chapel rebuilt using adobe bricks that were handmade from the dust of the old bricks. Original possessions were locatedand returned to their places. The original bell was hung near the chapel entrance.
1963 .....The residence wing of the original quadrangle was rebuilt.
Presently the mission is part of the Catholic Parish of Soledad but tsince 1835, there has not been a priest served at the mission on a regular basis. Services are held four times a year on designated days. The gardens and a small museum is open to the public. Further restoration is being conducted as funds become available. The continued restoration and maintenance of Soledad Mission is made possible by donations of those who cherish California's rich heritage. Soleday Mission is sustained through donations from individuals, proceeds from the gift shop, and money raised at the two annual fund-raisers, the June Barbcue and the Fall Fiesta.
Mission Soledad Restoration Committee
36641 Fort Romie Road
Soledad, CA 93960
Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
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