Mission San Antonio de Padua #232
Posted by: 
Touchstone
N 36° 00.901 W 121° 14.982
10S E 657728 N 3987030
Quote from the OHP site:
Mission San Antonio de Padua, established on July 14, 1771, was the third in a series of missions founded in Alta California by Father Junípero Serra. Its picturesque setting in the valley of the San Antonio River within the Santa Lucia Range makes it one of today's most outstanding examples of early mission life.
Waymark Code: WM1M8P
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 05/31/2007
Views: 85
Very important Note:
To access this California Historic site, you must pass through the Fort
Hunter Liggett Military Reservation. You MUST present the following at the
gate in order to drive through the Reservation:
- Valid Drivers License
- Valid Car Registration
- Valid Proof of Vehicle Insurance
You will be given a Visitors Pass which must be displayed on your dashboard
at all times while traveling on the Reservation. The road to the Mission
is well marked, but the staff at the Gate would be more than happy to give you
directions if necessary. Remain on marked roads at all times (i.e. no off
road travel is allowed).
A bronze bell carried by a mule to that beautiful place was hung from a
tree branch and Serra tolled it with vigor while shouting for the
"gentiles" to come and receive the faith. When reminded that not a
single gentile was in sight, Serra replied he hoped the bell could be heard
around the world.
Founded by the Blessed Junipero Serra, Mission San Antonio de Padua, is one
of the most remote of the California Missions. As such, it doesn't see the
tourist traffic that some of the other California Missions do. Named
for the patron Saint, Saint Anthony, this was the third Mission founded by the
well traveled Padre. The Indian name was Teshhaya, or Sextapay. The mission is
largely restored from the rebuilt original. The current site is about three
miles from the original mission. The church is active.
Once part of the vast land holdings of William Randolph Hearst, the area is
now part of the nearby Military Reservation. Of all
Spanish California missions, San Antonio de Padua is the most faithfully
restored. This is what a mission really looked like. Artifacts of the
missionaries and their neophyte's are on display.
At its peak, the Mission population swelled to 2-3,000,
mostly in the form of the nearby Salinan Tribe. Sadly, the population
began to dwindle, largely due to the import of European diseases that killed off
the susceptible native population.
- Open daily 10am-4pm (8:30am-6pm June to September). Closed Christmas day.
Annual festival is second weekend in June.
Mass schedule: Sunday @ 10:00am in the Mission Church.
Reference:
A Virtual Tour of the
California Missions
California
Mission History