Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

Spanish Franciscan mission from 1771 near Los Angeles — historically the seed of the city, now an active parish and National Historic Landmark.

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is one of the 21 Spanish Franciscan missions in California, founded on September 8, 1771 — the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It was the fourth in the chain of California missions and is often called the Godmother of the Pueblo of Los Angeles, as it played a central role in shaping what would become one of the world great cities. Between 1771 and 1834, more than 25,000 people were baptised here. The stone-built mission complex is designated a National Historic Landmark and features the characteristic Moorish-influenced style of early California mission architecture. The mission remains an active parish and is open to visitors.