Missions of California - San Buenaventura

Father Junipero Serra raised his cross and founded his ninth mission on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782. Named for St. Bonaventure, it was the last mission to be founded by Father Serra and the only mission to utilize wooden bells.

Conversion started slowly, but over time missionary success took a firm hold and by 1816 there were 1328 Chumash Indians living in the compound. A 7-mile aqueduct that provided irrigation and the excellent farming abilities of the Chumash made the mission famous for its agricultural products.

When the original church burned down in 1794, a new stone church was constructed. Severely damaged by an earthquake in 1812, it was quickly reinforced and still stands today. Victorian "improvements" made in 1893 left almost nothing remaining of the old church, but luckily it was restored to its original style by Father Aubrey O'Reilly in 1957.

Today the mission remains an active Catholic Parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles-Santa Barbara Region.