Mission San Juan Capistrano (2)

 (1776-1833) - A Spanish mission established in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra in present day San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California. Associated with the Presidio of San Diego Named for Giovanni da Capistrano, Saint John of Capistrano, a "warrior priest". Secularized in 1833. Returned to the Church in 1865.

The Spanish Period (1769-1821)
The Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded on 1 Nov 1776, by Father Junipero Serra, as the 7th of twenty-one Spanish missions founded in California. An earlier attempt by Father Fermin Lasuen to found the mission on 30 Oct 1775 was aborted when a revolt in San Diego forced him to return to San Diego. An severe earthquake in 1812 caused significant damage to the mission and collapsed the great stone church.

Mexican Period (1822-1846)
. Mission San Juan Capistrano was secularized in 1834 and the lands were divided up and sold to twenty prominent families. In 1845 the mission itself was sold to Governor Pico's brother-in-law for a mere $710.

The American Period (1846-Present)
The core mission property was returned to the Catholic Church in 1865 by President Abraham Lincoln.

Current Status
Restored mission and archeological remains in San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California.

Sources:

Links:
 * North American Forts - Mission San Juan Capistrano
 * Wikipedia - Mission San Juan Capistrano
 * Official Site