Santa Clara - Mission Santa Clara de Asis

History

After the founding of the Santa Clara de Asis mission almost half a century passed before the church was built, and today we see only a 1929 copy - four earlier churches were destroyed by earthquake or fire. This one is the most successful as far as fulfilling the aims of the missions is concerned; more Indians - 8,536 to be precise - were baptized here than in any other mission station.

After secularization in 1834 it was handed over to the Jesuits, and formed the nucleus of the first of California's colleges, the University of Santa Clara. Today the mission forms part of the campus.

Location

This mission is scarcely 3mi/5km from Pueblo San José, on the CA 82, between Franklin and Bellamy Streets. It has the same opening times as the university, i.e. until 8 p.m. in the summer months and until 11 p.m. in the remaining months.