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San Miguel
Mission San Miguel
Founded in 1797
Explore
Visit
Learn
Enjoy
Museum: Mon-Sun 10 AM- 4 PM
Mass: Sat 5PM- Sun 11AM English
Sat 7PM-Sun 1PM Español
(805)-536-0532 www.oldmissionsanmiguel.org
Mission San Miguel Archangel,
a beacon of history
Mission San Miguel Archangel,
founded in 1797, is the 16th
of the California missions. Father
Fremin de Lasuén established the
mission to close the gap between
Mission San Antonio de Padua in
the north and Mission San Luis
Obispo de Tolosa in the south.
The mission survived its first
church burning down in 1806,
years of neglect and vandalism
(1834-1859) after the secularization
by the Mexican Government, the
abandonment of the Mission after
the murder of the Reed family, and
the 2003 San Simeon earthquake.
In 1846, Petronillo Rios and
William Reed purchased the mis-
sion from the Mexican Govern-
ment. Reed's family occupied the
mission and grounds. Rios settled
in what is now the Adobe Rios
Caledonia across from the Mis-
sion. In 1848, the Reed family was
robbed and murdered. After that,
some of the mission rooms were
converted to commercial enter-
prises, including a hotel, a saloon,
and retail shops.
In 1859, President Buchanan,
following the California Land
Act of 1851, returned California
missions and lands to the Catholic
Church. By 1928, the mission was
occupied and administered by
Franciscan friars of the Province
of Santa Barbara. The Mission
continues to be an active parish and
a historical landmark.
Today, the village of San Miguel
is home to approximately 3000
residents and local businesses that
serve visitors, locals, and nearby
ranches and wineries. The mission
is a cornerstone of the community,
welcoming thousands of visitors
annually and providing Mass and
sacraments to local parishioners
and visitors.
The mission is located at 775
Mission Street in San Miguel. For
more information about tours, Mass,
sacraments, and the mission’s his-
tory, visit oldmissionsanmiguel.org.