I grew up on the East Coast, so I missed learning about the Spanish missions in California. With twenty-one of them running up the California coast, it is easy to visit one. So on a road trip to Santa Barbara last week, we made sure to visit the mission there. Along with the scenic coastline, it was worth the trip.
As we approached, I had a sense of déjà vu. The entrance looked just like the one at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. But this mission is called the “Queen” of missions for a reason. There is a chapel, a mausoleum, a museum, a garden, a gift shop and a cemetery (which was closed). The National Park Service charges a small admission fee to tour the site.
The area has endured two major earthquakes requiring extensive restoration. But for visitors today, it looks beautiful. The most interesting parts of the visit for me were the history of the Chumash and the artwork inside the chapel.
The Chumash are a Native American people who historically inhabited the area. They were skilled artisans, hunters and seafarers, but did not have a formal agriculture system. When the first Spanish Padre started the mission in 1786, his goal was to bring both religious and sustainable farming practices to the natives. Unfortunately, the Spanish also brought Old World diseases that reduced the Chumash population. Over time, their culture diminished and the last Chumash to speak the native tongue died in 1965. Five thousand Chumash still remain.
The interior of the chapel is inspirational. Below is a view from the back looking toward the altar. The next shot is the altar which supposedly survived the earthquakes.
The close up below is the namesake of the mission. The legend of Saint Barbara is one of a girl who was beheaded by her father (a rich pagan) for following the Christian faith. Ironically, the story goes that on his way home he was struck by lightning and consumed by flames.
But most interesting of all is the sculpture below. I’ve never seen a sculpture of this type that sparks with electricity. It is a hunky Jesus offering his hand to Mary Magdalene (done by Bruce Wolfe). As always, clicking on photos enlarges them. You’ll definitely want to click on this one.
Two missions down, nineteen to go.
