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San Diego De Alcala Research Paper

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Mission San Diego de Alcala was the first of all California missions as well as being California’s first mission church. This historical structure provides an experience and understanding into early american history and the spread of Catholicism throughout the west coast. Mission De Alcala still serves the community today as an active parish and is open to the public to tour the remnants of early life in our state.

For thousands of years California was the home to the Kumeyaay native americans along with other various groups until 1542. Landing in what is known present day as San Diego, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo claimed the region for the Spanish Empire. Following Spanish tradition Cabrillo named the area “San Miguel” after the Saint whose feast day was closest to the landing. Many Decades in 1602 later Sebastian Vizcaino was sent by the monarch of Spain to map the Californian coast. Arriving on his vessel named “San Diego” in what is present day Mission Bay he re-named the area for the Catholic Saint Didacus. Didacus was a Spanish Saint more commonly known as San Diego de Alcala who passed away in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, on November 12, 1463 and whose feast day was closest to the landing. …show more content…

Gaspar de Portola in efforts with Saint Junipero Serra and the Franciscan Padres took on the task of converting the native Californians to Christianity and to secure the people as loyal subjects of the Spanish Crown. Gaspar de Portola was designated the leader of the expeditions and Father Junipero Serra was decided as the Superior of the Franciscan

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