Santa Cruz

 Where is the mission located?

      The mission is located in Mission Plaza, Santa Cruz.  It was placed here by Father Fermin Lasuen because the land was fertile and the Native Americans could speak with the catholics. 

 

What group of Indians was living in the area?

There were an extremely wide variety of Native Americans around Santa Cruz.  Approximately forty triblets were in this area when the mission was being founded.

 

 

When was the mission established? What order in the mission chain is it?

The mission  is number 12 in the mission chain. It was established on August 28, 1791. 

 

 

Who was responsible for starting this mission?

This mission is established by Father Fermin Lasuen.  It was one of the most beautiful places for a mission   

 

 

Has the mission moved from its original location?

Yes, it has moved.  The mission was moved to higher ground to avoid floods, but in 1825 it was damaged by an earthquake.

 

 

What does the mission look like? Use descriptive words. Address each of the

following:

• Chapel: The chapel was used for weddings and ceremonies.  The present day chapel looks like any other church.
• Bell wall or bell tower: Bell tower has big rectangular prism on bottom, medium in middle, small on top. Each layer contains 1 bell except bottom.
• Quadrangle: The quadrangle was very large.  It was placed in the middle of two long rectangular buildings.
• Priests’ quarters:  The priests quarters were at the south end of the workshops, set horizontally.  The workshops are set vertically.
• Indians’ quarters: The Indian's and Worker's quarters were at the south end of the orchards and a little to the east.
• Archways: There are no archways visible
• Fields, grounds, gardens:  The grounds have a few trees, but not much.
• Outbuildings: The only outbuilding was the worker's quarters.

What materials were used to construct the mission?

Adobe was used to construct the Santa Cruz mission. Stone was also.

 

 

What was the main industry of the mission during the Spanish occupation?

The main industry of the mission during the spanish occupation was making grain. They had a granary and a large grain field. 

 

What, if any, is the main industry of the mission today?

The Santa Cruz mission still today runs a church. here is a picture of the chapel

 

 

What was the relationship between the Priests and the Indians?

The priests gave the Indians shelter in the mission. They also made them work, and tried to change the Indians to Catholics.

 

 

 

Is it possible to visit the mission today?

  Yes. It is possible to visit the Santa Cruz mission today. 

 

 

 

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