Mission Santa Inés — Attraction in Solvang

Built as the 19th of the 21 CA missions along the Camino Real, Mission Santa Ines was founded by Father-President Estevan Tapis in 1804. Fr Tapis was appointed Father-President in 1803 after the death of Fr Fermin Lasuen (a position Fr Tapis held from 1803-1812). In retirement, Fr Tapis died at Mission San Juan Bautista in 1825.

Founded to be halfway between Mission Santa Barbara and Mission La Purisima Conception, it was also established to reduce mission overcrowding. A massive earthquake occurred in 1812 (2 quakes 15 days apart) damaged or destroyed many of the California missions, including Santa Ines. Construction of a new church began soon after, dedicated in 1817. It was built with much thicker walls, 5-6 feet thick.

The Chumash Rebellion of 1824 started at Mission Santa Ines when a soldier beat a young neophyte. The rebellion impacted multiple missions. It spread to Mission La Purisima and Mission Santa Barbara where the Chumash temporarily took control. At Santa Ines, a fire developed where much of the complex burned down. After fighting finally stopped, many of the Chumash neophytes left for the mountains. Subsequent military expeditions in 1824 were sent to find the Chumash to convince them to return to their missions. Without neophytes, missions could not function or profit.

Miission Santa Ines became very successful with many thousand acres of crops and livestock within the fertile Santa Ynez valley.

In 1924, Mission Santa Ines became the home to Franciscan Friars from Ireland that successfully rebuilt a continuing congregation.

In a beautiful setting, from the Mission's parking lot one can look upon the Santa Ynez River valley with both the Santa Ynez and the San Rafael mountain ranges in the distance. Nearby (walking distance), one can wander about the many stores and restaurants of the "Danish"...

We were not planning on coming to Santa Inés but my sister took a wrong turn after pumping gas, so I told her to pull in at this long drive way and just turn around. Well turned out this driveway was a Mission, so we kept going and found a parking spot lol. It was very packed since they currently had Mass going on at the time. So this ended up being Mission #3 for us. Once we payed for the entrance we went straight for the gardens, this one has a pretty big garden for you to roam around in and a couple of walkway that lead you to statue's. Like to the Lady of Lourdes, it even has a little bench for you to kneel. There's a little pathway to the back that leads you to the cemetery it's looked very well kept. Once Mass was over we were able to go into the church, it was nice. Once you go outside to leave they have this walkway that shows you the fourteen steps Jesus took before he was crucified. This was a nice little...

I enjoy visiting Catholic churches, for education, culture and inspiration and to take the opportunity for some quiet time and prayer during business travel.

I visited a few old churches here in the central California coast and am impressed with the longevity of these communities.

This church charges an admission, which I'm happy to pay to help keep open and available to the public. The entrance is to the left of the main doors at the souvenir shop.

You walk from the shop through several rooms that illustrate the history of the mission. I couldn't spend much time here and may come back for more in depth reading.

The museum and church was not busy and I did have time for quiet prayer.

The gardens are beautiful and well maintained. I don't know if it is appropriate to picnic here, but would make for a great stop...