Missions of California - San Luis Rey de Francia

Named for Louis IX, King of France, Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was the 18th mission to be established. Nicknamed "King of the Missions", it was founded by Father Fermin de Lasuen on June 13, 1798, and was the largest and most populous of all the California missions.

The quick success of this mission was due to Father Antonio Peyri, who taught and counseled the Native Americans for 33 years. By 1831 there were over 53,000 head of livestock on the mission and 395,000 bushels of grain and 2500 barrels of wine had been produced.

After secularization, no services were held at Mission San Luis Rey for 46 years. In 1892 the Franciscan Order established a noviate at the mission and it was rededicated the following year. Father Joseph O'Keefe was assigned as an interpreter for the monks, and he began restoration in 1895.

Today Mission San Luis Rey de Francisca is a working mission. It operates as a Franciscan Seminary and is an active religious center for the community.