Think of a time capsule. Now imagine that it is still intact. That is Misión San Francisco de Asís. This is also known as Mission Dolores. It stands as San Francisco’s oldest intact building. Misión San Francisco de Asís has witnessed the city’s history. This includes the California Gold Rush and the earthquake of 1906.
The story of Misión San Francisco de Asís begins in 1776. Spanish Army Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Franciscan missionary Francisco Palóu arrived. They reached San Francisco Bay. They were part of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. They established Misión San Francisco de Asís. This marked the beginning of San Francisco.
Father Palóu dedicated the site. He celebrated the mission’s first mass on June 29 1776. This was just before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The mission was formally founded on October 9 1776.
Misión San Francisco de Asís was the sixth of 21 Spanish missions. These missions aimed to convert native people to Christianity. They also wanted to colonize the area. This would consolidate Spanish power. The mission became a gathering place. It was for soldiers farmers traders and native peoples. Many Indian converts became community members. They performed tasks to keep the community running.
The mission and the nearby Presidio were named after Saint Francis of Assisi. He founded the Franciscan Order in Italy. The name San Francisco de Asís was first given to a small bay by Spanish explorer Sebastián Cermeño. It was later applied to the larger bay.
The original chapel was made of wood poles plastered with mud. It also had thatched roofs. Over time it evolved into the adobe chapel we see today. Construction of the adobe walls began in 1788. Ohlone laborers made 36000 bricks. By 1790 the walls were complete plastered and whitewashed. The new church had adobe walls four feet thick. Redwood beams supported the roof. The ceiling displayed traditional Ohlone designs. These were painted in vegetable dyes.
The early 19th century was the peak of activity at Misión San Francisco. In 1810 to 1820 the Indian population was about 1100 people. The mission owned thousands of sheep cows horses goats pigs and mules. Its operations extended south to San Mateo and east to Alameda.
In 1834 the Mexican Secularization Act forced the missions to sell their properties. Misión San Francisco sold most of its property in 1836.
After the Mexican-American War the mission became part of the United States. In 1857 the Franciscans turned control of Misión San Francisco to the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake damaged the adobe building. Firefighters blew up nearby buildings to prevent the fire from spreading. In 1913 the archdiocese began constructing the Mission Dolores Church. It replaced a brick church destroyed in the earthquake. The construction was completed in 1918. In 1952 Pope Pius XII elevated Mission Dolores to the status of a minor basilica. It became the first minor basilica west of the Mississippi River.
Today the 1791 adobe chapel is called Mission Dolores. The church constructed in 1918 is the Mission Dolores Basilica. The complex also includes a historic cemetery. This is the final resting place for thousands of Ohlone Miwok and other First Californians.
Inside the adobe chapel you can see the Mission Dolores mural. This was painted in 1791 by Ohlone artists. It covers the entire rear wall behind the altar. The mural depicts the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It also contains the image of a rooster a Christian symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.
A statue of Junípero Serra stands on the grounds. This was designed by Arthur Putnam and completed in 1909. The Mission Dolores Basilica contains a stained glass window of Francis of Assisi. This was created by Franz Xaver Zettler.
Misión San Francisco de Asís stands as a testament to history faith and culture. It connects San Francisco to its origins. It reminds us of the layers of stories. These have shaped this city.