Mission San Antonio De Pala was founded by Father Antonio Peyri
OFM on June 13th, 1816. It is the only one of the original Spanish
California Missions to survive in its purpose of service to the Native
American Indians.

The Mission at Pala was built as an "assistencia" to the larger Mission
at San Luis Ray - (west of Pala on Highway 76). After Mexico received
independence from Spain in 1834, the California Missions continued to be
ad-ministered by the founders, the Franciscan Friars. Because the
Mission lands were among the most valuable in California, they
were secularized and confiscated by the Mexican Government in 1835.
Many Mexican landowners acquired the Mission lands for themselves.
The Indian population refused to be exploited and the Mission 'ranchos'
generally fell into decay.

The remote location of the Pala Mission protected it from some of the
vandalism of the settlers; consquencially the chapel and the west wing
of the building, partially restored by the Landmarks Club in 1903, stand
as they have for over 183 years.

The Mission continued under the administration of the Church but the
remainder of the quadrangle was largely ruins until 1954 when Father
Januarius Carillo of the Comboni Fathers began an ambitious rebuilding
program with little money but much cooperation of the local parishioners
and friends of the Mission.

Mission San Antonio de Pala offers many unique Tourist Attractions.
The original simple structure is a fine example of Mission Architecture.
The long chapel displays the original Adobe floor, Indian paintings adorn
the inside walls. The visitors are treated to a prayerful and reflective
atmosphere while inside this Edifice.

The Bell Tower, modeled after one in Juarez, Mexico stands out into the
California sky, with its lovely graceful lines. It is distinctive from
the other (21) California Missions Chain in that it stands apart from
the main structure and has a special cactus Plant growing on the top
adjacent to the crowning cross.

The old cemetery, the Mission Courtyard garden and shrines have the
strong appeal for peace and meditation which is reminiscent of the past.

The Mission Gift Shop and Museum, housed in the original west wing of
the Mission complex, has a rich display of Pala Indian relics along with
Artifacts from the early Mission period. Walking around the grounds the
visitor cannot miss seeing the ruins of the old aqueduct. The olive
grove, planted by the first Friars and their Indian co-workers, bear
witness to the prosperity of the days when Pala was a rich "rancho".
It was a "happy place" for thousands of Indians.

The Pala Mission is still in need of extensive and ongoing repairs.
All gifts to the Building and Restoration Fund are gratefully received
and appreciated. Any contributions for this purpose may be made to the
following address: