Name of Mission
Mission San Antonio de Padua
Date Founded
July 14th, 1771
Founding Father
Fr. Junipero Serra
Order in Mission Chain
3rd of 21
Native American Tribe
The Salinan tribe was the main Native American population at Mission San Antonio de Padua. Interestingly, their original religion was similar to Catholicism. Therefore, when they were asked to convert to Catholicism by the priests at the mission, the transition was not as difficult for them as it was for other Native American tribes at other missions. By 1774, 3 years after the founding of the mission, there were 178 neophyte Native Americans living at the mission. Others lived with their tribes away from the mission but came there to work during the day. At the mission, they learned about Catholicism, how to speak Spanish, about Spanish music, and about European farming methods. While they lived at the mission, the Salinan people were given clothing to wear. Men and women were given blankets and tunics. Men wore cloth tied at their waist or pants while women wore skirts.
Mission Buildings
The church was built first, in 1780. Later a larger church was built and completed by 1813.
Next, the priests' quarters, or Convento was built.
Later, they built the workshops and the Monjerio, where unmarried women older than 8 years old slept.
The buildings were arranged in a quadrange shape, which was typical of missions in California.
Next, the priests' quarters, or Convento was built.
Later, they built the workshops and the Monjerio, where unmarried women older than 8 years old slept.
The buildings were arranged in a quadrange shape, which was typical of missions in California.
Daily Life at the Mission
The Native Americans had difficulty adjusting to the strict schedule at the mission. They were asked to work and provide for everyone living at the mission, and it was exhausting work. There was one bell to signal that it was prayer time. Another bell signaled that it was time to work, rest or eat. Whenever the bells rang, neophytes were expected to report to their designated post. The men worked in the fields and tended to the crops. They also cared for the livestock. While the men worked outside, the women cooked, baked, wove and made candles. The neophytes made everything that was eaten, worn or used at the mission. They worked hard and were not often allowed to leave the mission to visit their villages; that was a special privilege. The priests allowed some of the Salinan people to leave the mission for a visit in order to keep them happy. They also sometimes let them sing the songs of their tribe to keep their spirits high.
Difficult Times at Mission San Antonio de Padua
- 1775- A local Native American tribe attacked the mission church with arrows during a baptism. The neophyte who was being baptized was hurt but not killed. The other neophytes took it as a sign of the power of Catholicism that he was not killed and their faith in the mission was maintained.
- Later, many of the neophytes caught European diseases like smallpox. This killed many of the Salinan Native Americans who lived at and around the mission and decreased their population significantly.
- 1810- When the Mexican population revolted against the Spanish government, they were so occupied with the conflict that they did not send supplies to the mission, including payment for the soldiers. The soldiers in turn began behaving badly and made life more difficult at the mission.
- 1821- Mexico gained independence from Spain and ordered the missions to be secularized. This resulted in the Salinan population fleeing the mission.
- 1883- Mission San Antonio de Padua was abandoned. It was in ruins by 1884.
Interesting Facts
- The original mission site had to be changed once they realized that the original site did not have enough water to sustain the mission population. They relocated closer to San Miguel Creek so that they would have access to fresh water.
- Mission San Antonio de Padua's bell was made in Lima, Peru, and shipped to the mission.
References
Mission San Antonio de Padua by Kim Serafin
The Mission Sourcebook by David McLaughlin and Ruben Mendoza
www.californias-missions.org
The Mission Sourcebook by David McLaughlin and Ruben Mendoza
www.californias-missions.org