Photo courtesy California Missions website.

Founded in 1797 as the 16th California mission

—Mission San Miguel Archangel, founded in 1797, is the 16th California mission. 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 mission from the Mexican Government. Reed’s family occupied the mission and grounds. Rios settled in what is now the Adobe Rios Caledonia across from the Mission. In 1848, the Reed family was robbed and murdered. Afterward, some mission rooms were converted into commercial enterprises, 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 history, visit oldmissionsanmiguel.org.