Where is the mission located?
The mission is located 9 miles east of central Los Angeles,in the San Miguel Valley.
What group of Indians was living in the area?
The Tongva Indians lived in the area but later on they were called Gabrielenos.
When was the mission established? What order in the mission chain is it?
The mission was established September 8,1771. The order in the mission chain is number 4.
Who was responsible for starting this mission?
Father Pedro Cambón and Father Angel Somera are responsible for starting this mission.
Has the mission moved from its original location?
The chapel was flooding so they moved it higher ground.
What does the mission look like? Use descriptive words. Address each of the
following:
- Chapel~The chapel is 150 feet long, 27 feet wide,and 30 feet high. It is made of stone and concrete up to windows of burnt brick above. The roof was replaced three times, in 1804 it was replaced by a flat roof of brick mortar, in 1812 it was replaced by pitched roof of tiles, and finally in 1886 it was replaced by a roof with shingles.
- Bell wall or bell tower~The walls are between four and five feet thick. The bell tower was replaced in 1828 by a bell wall at the south end of the church.
- Quadrangle~There are 2 quadrangles covering several acres, with buildings for sleeping quarters, storerooms, kitchens, and shops.
- Padres' quarters~Each padre had a small room called a cell. The small bed or cot, was wooden with a frame over which animal hides were streched as a mattress.
- Indians’ quarters~The Indians would work really hard everyday. They would gather fruit, grains, and nuts. They were a peaceful people.
- Archways~There are no archways.
- Fields, grounds, gardens~There's a cactus garden.
- Outbuildings~There were no outbuildings.
What materials were used to construct the mission?
The padres used water,fertile soil, building materials, and large numbers of Native American.
What was the main industry of the mission during the Spanish occupation?
They would gather fruits, grains, and nuts.
What, if any, is the main industry of the mission today?
There is a farm that is new here.
What was the relationship between the Priests and the Indians?
The relationship was that the padres and Indians would work a lot and they would do it together.
Is it possible to visit the mission today?
Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is possible to visit today.
Find an image of the floor plan of your mission and include it here:
