Father Junipero Serra

Father Junipero Serra was born in Majorca in 1713.  He taught at the University of Majorca for several years, then transferred to Mexico in 1749.  In Mexico City, he was joined by his former students Juan Crespi and Francisco Palou.  In 1767, Junipero went with Portola to Baja California.  He over saw several missions until 1771.

In 1771, Father Junipero went to establish five missions in Chumash territories: 1772 San Luis Obispo; 1782 San Buenaventura; 1786 Santa Barbara: 1787 La Purisima Concepcion; 1808 Santa Ines.  Ultimately, a total of 21 missions would eventually be established in California.  It is important to remember that Spain had spent the last 200 years perfecting the methods of conquest in the America's down in South America.  When they reached California, their armies and religious leaders were experienced in many methods of domination: disease- std's, TB, measles, mumps, etc; superstitions; isolation- imprisonment, punishments; prohibiting and inhibiting births; re-education; politics and leadership; work force and slavery; and not to mention powerful military weapons.

The mission in San Luis Obispo had been burnt down by San Joanquin Valley Natives in 1775.  It was rebuilt and burnt down two more times- once during Christmas Mass.  After the third time, the mission was rebuilt- this time using tile roofing.  The San Luis Obispo Mission was the first mission to use tile roofing.

It is believed that the priests believed, that once the Chumash had been re-educated, they could be released back into the area.  Spain had strong interests in this area due to the European and American Revolutionary War.  Spain knew the United States would be growing this direction.  Thus, in the end, the Chumash never found freedom.  The Chumash, once one of the largest Native people in the Americas, found themselves near extinction.  Father Junipero Serra died in Carmel at the San Carlos Borromeo Mission August 28th, 1784 at the age of 70.

The Chumash were taught tile making, agriculture, weaving, woodworking, metal working, and such.  Chumash were forced into mass at dawn, then taught Spanish, then breakfast- if they followed all instructions.  They were sold out for hard labor to local settlers.  Living conditions were below human tolerances.  The average life span of a Chumash captive at a mission was less than 6 years.  The churches survival relied upon the Chumash work force.

By 1824, many Chumash had rebellions in a last effort for freedom.    During these times, the church resources suffered.  Then, Mexico declared itself free from Spain.  They drafted a similar constitution as the United States.  In 1827, they declared the Chumash free and released them from Mission control.  Mexico also took control of these missions.  On July 15, 1833, Governor Jose Figueroa drafted the Emancipation of the Mission Indians.  Unfortunately, no Spanish settlers would pay the Chumash for their work and often created indentured servitude.