Mission Santa Barbara

 (1786-1834) - A Spanish mission established in 1786 by Father Fermin Lasuen in present day Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Associated with the Presidio of Santa Barbara. Named for Saint Barbara, a 3rd century Catholic martyr. Secularized in 1834.

The Spanish Period (1769-1821)
The Mission Santa Barbara was founded on 4 Dec 1786, by Father Fermin Lasuen, as the 10th of twenty-one Spanish missions founded in California.

The mission church was completed in 1820 with a single bell tower. The second tower was added in 1831 but collapsed and was rebuilt in 1833. The two bell towers contain six bells.

Mexican Period (1822-1846)
Mission Santa Barbara was secularized in 1834.

The American Period (1846-Present)
Mission Santa Barbara was returned to the Catholic Church on 18 Mar 1865 by President Abraham Lincoln. The area returned was the mission proper not the surrounding lands.

Current Status
Active Roman Catholic Church operated by the Franciscans in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Museum and gift shop. Self guided tour that includes the church interior, inner courtyard and cemetery. The museum is at the end of the tour and includes lots of vintage photographs and artifacts. In front of the mission is an 1808 Moorish fountain and an 1818 Lavanderia or Wash Basin that was used as the original mission laundry.

Sources:

Links:
 * Wikipedia - Mission Santa Barbara
 * Old Mission Santa Barbara