Situated in between Malibu and Santa Barbara in Ventura on the California Pacific coastline, Mission Basilica San Buenaventura is a Spanish mission that is open for the public to explore and enjoy. Founded by Franciscan Father Junípero Serra in 1782, Mission Basilica San Buenaventura was the ninth Spanish mission to be established in California and the last by Father Serra.

  • Who is Mission Basilica San Buenaventura named after?
    • The Mission is named after 13th-century Franciscan Saint Bonaventure, who was also known as a ‘Doctor of the Church’.
  • Does Mission Basilica San Buenaventura still function as a church?
    • Yes, it still functions as a parish church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles today.
  • Why was there a delay in establishing the Mission?
    • The establishment of San Buenaventura Mission was delayed for 12 years due to a lack of military escorts needed to build the mission.
  • What happened to the original church?
    • The Mission’s first church burned down in 1973, and only a small part of the original mission complex still stands today.
  • How long did it take to build the new church?
    • The new church took 16 years to build, and its roof was later replaced in 1976. It remains the parish church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
  • What other buildings are on the Mission site?
    • Other buildings on the site include the Holy Cross School, a three-story school for pre-kindergarten through grade 8, and classrooms for adults.
    • Additional structures include the Serra Chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, a parish/school kitchen, and a large assembly hall used for church gatherings and Sunday Mass.
  • What remains of the original Mission today?
    • Today, all that remains of the original San Buenaventura Mission is the church, which continues to be an active Catholic Parish serving approximately 2,000 families.
    • The Mission also features a beautiful garden and a small museum housing Chumash Indian artifacts and other mission-era items.
  • What is the mission of San Buenaventura Mission?
    • The mission of San Buenaventura Mission is to “spread God's Word through compassionate service.”
    • The parish is committed to building unity within the local community and has goals to deepen spirituality, develop leadership, and evangelize worshipers.

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1. Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Architecture and Layout

Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Architecture and Layout

© San Buenaventura Mission

  • How long did it take to build Mission Basilica San Buenaventura?
    • The construction of Mission Basilica San Buenaventura took a total of 50 years to complete, though most of the buildings were finished by 1809.
  • Who helped construct the Mission?
    • The Mission buildings were constructed with the help of the local Chumash tribe, following a regular layout plan.
  • What materials were used to build the Mission?
    • The first buildings were made from wood poles and brush, but these were later replaced by structures made of adobe brick and stone.
  • What were the first buildings used for?
    • The early buildings were used to hold religious ceremonies known as a Mass.
  • What were the next buildings to be constructed?
    • The next buildings included the Convento, where the Fathers lived, followed by the workshops and the Monjerio, which housed unmarried girls and women.
  • What other features can be found on the Mission grounds?
    • The Mission grounds include a fountain that was used for water, washing, and laundry.
    • The Mission also has unique wooden bells, carved from two-foot thick blocks of wood.

2. Mission Bells

Mission Bells

© San Buenaventura Mission

  • What was the purpose of the bells at Mission Basilica San Buenaventura?
    • The bells at the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura were a vital part of daily life, denoting the hour and half hour, ringing for meal times, and calling to prayer.
  • How many bells does the Mission have?
    • The Mission has a three-tiered companario that contains five bells.
  • Where did some of the bells come from?
    • Two of the bells were originally loaned from the Santa Barbara Mission, as San Buenaventura had none of their own, but they were never returned.
  • How old are the Mission’s bells?
    • The oldest bells at the Mission date back to 1781 and are inscribed with writings.
  • What is the Verbum Domini bell?
    • The main Verbum Domini bell was cast in Paris in 1956 and can still be heard today, calling the faithful to prayer and denoting the time of day.
  • Where can the wooden bells be seen?
    • The ancient wooden bells, which are the only two in California, can be viewed in the Mission Museum.

3. Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Visitor Information

Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Visitor Information

© San Buenaventura Mission

Mission Basilica San Buenaventura is located at 211 East Main Street in Ventura, California and is open to the public. Mission Basilica San Buenaventura offers informative docent-led tours of the Mission, Museum, and Gardens, which explore the art, architecture, and life at the Mission. The Gift Shop sells a broad range of Catholic/Christian devotional gifts, collectible items and books relating to the history of the Mission and other California Missions.

211 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001-2691, Phone: 805-643-4318

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