I'm here at the Mission San Diego de
Alcala. This mission was founded July 16,1769 by me Father Junipero Serra and named
it for Saint Didacus of Alcala. It was the first mission built. They did a good job
rebuilding it after the Indians burned it
to the ground in 1775. It's bigger than I remember, I think they made it bigger after the
1803 earthquake. On my left I see the San Diego Bay. The facade of the mission is
white adobe. To the left is a bell tower with five bells that still ring once a
year, on the birthday of the mission. On the top of the bell tower is an outstanding
cross. We used to have green and purple grapes growing for making wine, but now I just see
plenty of yellow flowers and olive trees. We used to use the olive oil from those trees
for oil. Mission San Diego de Alcala has a full quadrangle and plenty of workshops
for blacksmithing and leathering. Daily mass is still held here at 7am and 5pm, but
I need to get going to the next mission. |
