Our History
220 Years of Faith, Resilience, and Heritage
220 Years of Faith, Resilience, and Heritage
"The Hidden Gem of the California Missions"
Throughout its 220-year history, Mission Santa Inés has overcome natural disasters, political turmoil, and financial hardships to emerge as one of the most successful of the Alta California Missions. The Mission has endured a rebellion, social upheaval, neglect, and decay only to rise again through restoration and repair.
19th Mission
Last of the southern Alta California missions
September 17, 1804
Dedicated by Father Esteban Tapis
Named after St. Agnes
Santa Inés is Spanish for Saint Agnes
Near Solvang
A unique blend of Mission and Danish cultures
Historic Wine Region
Santa Ynez Valley was a wine region during mission days
Madonna Chapel
Features bright and vibrant original colors
Active Parish
Church retains many original artifacts
Restoration
Led by Father Alexander Buckler
Mission Santa Inés was founded on September 17, 1804, by Father Estévan Tapís. It was established as a link between the Missions of Santa Barbara and La Purisima Concepción, and to serve the Chumash people of the Santa Ynez Valley. It was the 19th of 21 California Missions and the first European settlement in the valley.
While still in its formative years, the Mission was devastated by the great earthquake of 1812. Despite this setback, the community persevered and continued to rebuild.
The Mission continued to rebuild and became very prosperous during the first part of the 19th century when the Chumash population was at its highest. The Mission acreage produced plentiful harvests, and its livestock numbered in the thousands.
After Mexican Independence from Spain in 1821, secularization caused the departure of the Spanish Missionaries and most of the Chumash neophytes. In 1844, the first college seminary in California was temporarily established at Mission Santa Inés.
The Mission would have fallen into complete ruin were it not for the arrival of the Donahue family in 1882 and Fr. Alexander Buckler in 1904. Fr. Buckler began the repair of the Mission building and enlisted his niece, Mamie Goulet, to restore the art and vestment collections.
The Capuchin Franciscan Friars from Ireland arrived in 1924 after the retirement of Fr. Buckler. They continued the restoration of the Mission buildings and gardens, and established the Mission museum. Today the parish continues to restore and preserve the "Mission of the Passes" to serve the greater community.
Old Mission Santa Inés is proud and honored to be the guardian of a rich collection preserved through the centuries.
Paintings
Statuary
Vestments
Manuscripts
