Mission San Juan Capistrano free essay sample

The site had been chosen because it was roughly half way between the mission of San Diego to the south and San Gabriel to the north. Mission San Juan Capistrano is located by the Dana Point harbor. Most missions were built close to harbors so that they could trade the goods manufactured at the mission to ships in the harbor. Many men played important roles in establishing the mission system in Alta California. Among them were Fray Junipero Serra and Fray Fermin Francisco de Lasuen. Fray Serra was the president of the Alta California mission chain at the time of the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano. He believed so strongly in the Catholic faith that he became a missionary in order to teach others about it. Serra was chosen by the Roman Catholic Church officials to be the mission resident of Alta California. Serra founded 9 missions in Alta California. As president, he traveled to the missions on occasion to check on their progress, help the missionaries and work with the Indians. We will write a custom essay sample on Mission San Juan Capistrano or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Fray Lasuen came to Alta California after Serra founded the first missions. He worked with Serra to establish others, including Mission San Juan Capistrano. After Serra’s death, Lasuen was chosen to head the mission chain. During the years of 1785 and 1803, he founded 9 missions and encouraged the Spanish friars to teach new work methods. He made many improvements in the areas of construction, planting and harvesting crops and raising livestock. Both Fray Lausen and Fray Serra are buried in the mission’s chapel. Mission San Juan Capistrano took many years to build. The Spanish friars and soldiers needed help building the mission. They offered the Indians food and glass bead trinkets for their help in building the mission. Over the next several years, the laborers built a church, living quarters for the missionaries and dormitories for the Indians who lived at the mission. Many of the Indians living at the mission had converted to Christianity. Mission life was not always peaceful. Some problems were caused by the differences between the Spanish and Indian cultures, while other difficulties were the result of disease, pirates and natural disasters. The Indians living at the mission were often unhappy. Not only were they forced to keep to a strict schedule of classes and work, but they were also forbidden to leave the mission once they converted to Christianity. Many of the Indians were resentful of the missionaries’ control over their lives. The influences the mission had on California can be seen today. Farming and ranching techniques first taught by the Spanish friars are a major part of California’s economy today. Many crops like olives, grapes and oranges begun at the missions and are still grown today. The work begun by the missionaries and Indians more than 200 years ago has made California one of the leading agricultural centers in the United States. In conclusion, Mission San Juan Capistrano and the other 20 missions played an important role in California history.