Mission Soledad

Today we toured Mission Soledad, the thirteenth mission to be established in California.  This mission was dedicated in 1791 and ultimately a chapel, blacksmith shop, granary, privy, kitchen, carpentry shop, padre’s quarters and women’s quarters were built on this site.

 This mission was known for harsh winters, hot summers, flooding, and incessant winds.  We can verify the incessant winds!  The Mission was also known for its charity, kindness and music.  Enduring hard work and isolation, a dozen missionaries lived here and cared for the Mission’s orchards, vineyards and gardens.  They tended their herds of cattle, horses and sheep in the surrounding countryside.  They even built a lengthy aqueduct to ensure a supply of water for the Mission.  Under their care the Mission flourished for years until floods occurred here and caused severe damage.

In the 1830s Missions in California were appropriated by Governor Jose Figueroa and sold for secular functions.  Mission Soledad was sold for $800 to a cattle rancher who operated it as a cattle ranch until 1848.   During this time the roof tiles were removed from the roof of the mission and the weather melted the adobe structure away.  Falling into ruin, the Mission remained in this state until 1954.  Then its chapel was rebuilt by the “Native Daughters of the Golden West” along with a wing of several connected rooms just off the chapel.  The original church has not been rebuilt following the flood, with only the foundation rocks and floor tiles remaining today.

 

An olive grove was planted on this site from cuttings taken from 200 year old olive trees growing in a mission in Lompoc.  Today the Monterey Diocese uses oil from the olives these trees produce for its sacraments. 

Surrounded by fields where vegetables still flourish and cattle still graze, it is easy to imagine some portion of the lifestyle Missionaries experienced in this valley.  Today’s fields of carrots, lettuce, parsley, broccoli, peas, onions, prickly pear, avocado trees, lemon trees and more are tended today by huge corporate farm operations.  Vineyards are spreading over the hills and valleys competing for the same land.  Water no longer floods the valley with a drought in full swing here just like one occurring in 1860 that was even worse.  Looking at the mission rooms and fields today, it is evident life keeps repeating the same cycles over and over in this broad valley-just the players are different.  Being a witness to this is worthy of the wonder and the awe of how life and nature go on generation after generation regardless of those of us who pass through this valley for a brief time or because of those who have chosen to stay.