California Mission Tiles

These frames are handmade from reclaimed old growth redwood here in Ojai. They were cut, milled and assembled from a 6x6" post at our local Presbyterian church. Rather than discard the valuable asset, I turned them into frames for the wonderful mission...

Founded: June 3, 1770 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Charles BorromeoLocation: a few miles south of the city of Carmel on Junipero Avenue.San Carlos Borromeo is believed by many to be the most beautiful of all California missions. It is here...

Founded:March 31, 1782 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Bonaventure.Originally planned to be the third mission in the California chain, halfway between San Diego and Carmel, San Buenaventura’s founding was postponed for 12 years. Problems at...

Founded: December 8, 1787 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: “The Immaculate Concepción of Mary the Most Pure”Mission La Purísima was located in a fertile valley many miles off the beaten path of the El Camino Real. Much of its...

Founded: July 4, 1823 by Father Jose Altimira Named for: St. Francis Solano, missionary to the Peruvian Indians. The last and northernmost California mission, Mission San Francisco Solano was the only mission founded after Mexico’s independence from...

Founded: June 13, 1798 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: Louis IX, King of France (1215-1270). Nicknamed “King of the missions”, Mission San Luis Rey was the largest and most populous of all the California missions. Its buildings covered 6...

Founded: July 25, 1797 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: Saint Michael the Archangel. The third mission founded by Father Lasuen in the summer of 1797 was quickly filled with the many friendly Native Americans in the area. Fifteen native children were...

Founded: September 8, 1771 by Father Pedro Cambon and Father Angel SomeraNamed for: Archangel GabrielThis mission, although one of the most prosperous, was also one of the most difficult missions for the padres assigned there. Located along the...

Founded: July 11, 1797 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: Saint Joseph.Six years after the founding of the thirteenth mission in Soledad Father Lasuen was granted permission to establish an additional 5 missions, which he did in just 13 months. Mission...

Founded: July 14, 1771 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint AnthonyFr. Serra knew that this third mission’s success was important to assure that his dream of a “chain” of missions be realized. Fr. Serra was so anxious to get this...

Founded: September 8, 1797 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: St. Ferdinand, King of Spain (1217-1252).In that busy summer of 1797 for Father Lasuen he found his fourth new mission in a large valley discovered on an earlier expedition. Although this new...

Founded: June 24, 1797 by Father Fermin Lasuen Named for: John the Baptist. Just 13 days after founding Mission San Jose Father Lasuen founded Mission San Juan Bautista. Located in the middle of the San Juan Valley, the mission sits right on the San...

 Founded: July 16, 1769 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Didacus of AlcaláMission San Diego is the oldest mission in California, and the first link in the “chain” of missions that stretches 650 miles along the El Camino Real...

Founded: September 1, 1772 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Luis, Bishop of Toulouse. This mission marks the halfway point in the California mission chain. It is located near the Valley of the Bears where the Spanish had found such a large...

Founded:August 28, 1791 by Father Fermin LasuenNamed for: the Sacred Cross.Mission Santa Cruz sits on a gentle slope surrounded by the beautiful redwood trees not far from were they meet the Pacific Ocean. When Father Lasuen raised the cross and said...

Founded:January 12, 1777 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Claire of Assisi.After a delay of several months, due to an uprising of the natives at Mission San Luis Obispo, the second mission ordered to hold the San Francisco Bay was founded in...

Founded:January 12, 1777 by Father Junipero SerraNamed for: Saint Claire of Assisi.After a delay of several months, due to an uprising of the natives at Mission San Luis Obispo, the second mission ordered to hold the San Francisco Bay was founded in...