San Luis Rey Mission
October 26, 2008 by oceanside resource
Filed under Attractions, Featured, Holidays, Landmarks
This historical mission was once the largest building in California and now home to 14 monks.
Oceanside is home to the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, one of the Alta California missions. Named in honor of St Louis, King of France, is located in a secluded valley four miles east of Highway 5 in Oceanside. Founded in June 1798 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, the Mission is one of the most architecturally impressive of all the California missions.
Built of adobe and faced with brick, the composite is a mixture of Spanish, Mexican and Moorish styles. For over 30 years, the mission prospered under the direction of Father Antonion Peyri. By 1801, over 300 Indians have been enrolled in the mission, making it one of the most populous in California. After secularization in the 1830′s the mission grounds were used for bullfights and later, as a military post by U.S. troops. In 1893, the mission was rededicated as a Franciscan seminary.
The mission architecture is extraordinary. Hand carved wooden doors, bright and colorful hand painted walls and murals, the original baptismal font (made by Native Americans) of hand hammered copper, and a mixture of Classical and Baroque reredos are not to be missed.
Today, the “King of Missions” includes a picnic area, museum and gift shop. The newly developed San Luis Rey Valley Conference Center & Garden’s, located at the Mission, is equipped for conferences, conventions, banquets and weddings with about 17,500 square feet of space.
The Mission provides guided and self-guided tours, a museum, a gift shop, retreat center, and year-round special events.
4050 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 757-3651
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