Established: December 8, 1787

By: Father Fermin Lausen

Order: 11th of the 21 missions

Location: Halfway between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo

Named For: Mary, Mother of Jesus

Interesting fact: La Purisma Concepción is a mission built for utility. It is the only mission that has the buildings all in a straight line unlike the more common, square or diamond.

The mission that I am studing is " Mission La Purisima Concepción." It is located halfway between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, near the middle of the mission chain, in an inland vally. It was built on December 8, 1787. I think it is simply beautiful and wonderful and the most interesting in the 21 missions. Mission La Purisima Conception was the 11th mission built. It has survived many horible fires, earthquakes and floods. It tells a history of strong believers, hard workers and a incredible loss of life.

Father Fray Lasuen founded Mission La Purisima Concepción. The first years at the mission were very successful. Mission La Purisima Concepción was named after Mary, mother of Jesus. Its full name is Mission La Purisima Concepción de Maria Santistima or, The Immaculate Conception of Mary the Most Pure.

One of the most beautiful things at the mission was the fountain. The water flows from place to place all day and all night long. It's like a little pool with a whale shooting up streams of water from its blowhole. It really is a wonderful sight. The church was 140 feet long and 30 feet wide. The whole mission had tile roofs and tile floors. The walls at the mission are 4 and a half feet thick. The bells are also great. There are three bells that hang all together. They are all a crisp golden color that shine in the sun. (well, at least they were a couple hundred years ago). One big bell hangs above the two smaller bells. When it rings it sounds like birds singing. But a horibble thing happened in 1812. A major earthquake hit with serve aftershocks followed by a terible flood that damaged all the buildings and then in 1816, a drought caused the death of many livestock.

In 1818, a fire destroyed many of the natives homes and in 1826, another flood damaged the church. La Purisima Concepción really had its troubles. In 1874 the mission was out of use. It had been is use for 87 years. The padres had to sell the missionin 1874 because dilapidated condition made them unusable. I think it is really sad because Mission La Purisima Concepción was a very pretty sight. Now it is standing as pretty as ever as Mission La Purisima Conception State Historic Park.

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