Isn’t it fascinating how a building can embody centuries of history? Today, we stand before the Missionary Temple. This temple is not just a place of worship. It is a landmark that whispers tales of San Francisco’s vibrant past.
Mission San Francisco de Asís also known as Mission Dolores is a testament to time. Founded in 1776, it stands as the oldest intact building in San Francisco. Imagine this very spot in 1776. Spanish Catholic missionaries, Frs Francisco Palóu and Pedro Benito Cambón, established a settlement. The Franciscan Order sent them to bring Spanish settlers. They were also tasked to evangelize the indigenous Ohlone people.
Initially, it was named after St Francis of Assisi. But it became fondly known as Mission Dolores. This was due to its proximity to Arroyo de los Dolores Creek. This translates to Creek of Sorrows.
The original chapel was humble. It was a log and thatch structure. It was dedicated on October 9, 1776. The chapel stood about a block and a half east of where we are now. This was near what is today the intersection of Camp and Albion Streets. It sat on the shores of a lake called Lago de los Dolores. The lake has long since been filled.
Construction of the present Mission Dolores church began in 1788. Ohlone laborers manufactured 36000 bricks. By 1790, the walls were complete, plastered, and whitewashed. In 1791, the new church was finished. Its adobe walls were four feet thick. The roof beams were redwood. The ceiling displayed traditional Ohlone designs. These were painted in vegetable dyes. The Mission complex included a convent and facilities for agriculture and manufacturing.
The early 19th century marked Mission San Francisco’s peak. Between 1810 and 1820, the average Indian population was about 1100. The Mission owned vast resources. These included 11000 sheep and 11000 cows. It also had thousands of horses, goats, pigs, and mules. Its operations extended south to San Mateo and east to Alameda.
In 1817, Mission San Rafael Arcángel was established. It served as a hospital for Mission San Francisco de Asís. Later, it gained independence in 1822.
After the Mexican War of Independence in 1821, Mexico gained control. Relations between the Mexican government and the Franciscans soured. Supplies became scarce. Over 5000 Native Americans died from disease at the Mission. In 1834, the Mexican government secularized the missions. The Mission San Francisco sold most of its property in 1836. By 1842, only eight Native Americans resided here.
The California Gold Rush brought change after 1848. San Francisco boomed. The Mission District became a resort and entertainment center. Franciscans sold or leased land for saloons and gambling halls. In 1857, control of Mission San Francisco went to the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The 1906 earthquake devastated the city. The brick church was destroyed. But the adobe building survived. Firefighters blew up the convent and School of Notre Dame. This prevented the fire from engulfing the Mission. In 1913, construction began on a new church. It was completed in 1918.
In 1952, Pope Pius XII elevated Mission Dolores. It became a minor basilica. It was the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the 1918 church is called the Mission Dolores Basilica. The 1791 adobe chapel is called the Mission Dolores. The complex includes a historic cemetery.
The Mission Dolores mural is a hidden gem inside the adobe chapel. Ohlone artists painted it in 1791. It features the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It also contains the image of a rooster. This is a Christian symbol of Jesus’ resurrection.
As we conclude our visit to the Missionary Temple remember its resilience. It survived earthquakes, fires, and societal shifts. It remains a symbol of faith and community.