The Mission Church

(For a larger view of the pictures - click on the picture you wish to view)

The San Gabriel mission church was made with stone, brick, and mortar, and is one of the best preserved shrines of all the missions, and the oldest structure of its kind south of Monterey. The church is 150 feet long, the walls are 30 feet high, and will accommodate approximately 400 people. The walls are five feet thick. The church was completed in 1805.

The alter is original, it was made in Mexico City and brought to the mission in the 1790s.

Also within the sanctuary is the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, 300 years old. (upon reaching the mission site, the fathers encountered savages, armed lead by chiefs, they attempted to prevent the founding of the mission. The fathers, fearful of a battle which some could be killed, they showed them the painting Our Lady of Sorrows. Immediately, as if transfixed by her sight, they threw down their bows and arrows, The chiefs laid before the picture the beads they wore around their necks as a sign of peace and respect.)

Along the walls are paintings of the Apostles painted in Spain, also about 300 years old. Within the old Mission Church is the baptistery. There is a sterling silver baptismal shell, brought by the founding fathers over 200 years ago. In November of 1771, the first Indian child was baptisted.

The original stairs leading to the choir loft are still seen outside the walls of the church.