Background: The Spanish missions in California are a series of religious and military settlements established by Spanish Catholics 1769 and 1823. The missions were built to spread the Christian faith, educate and civilize the Native Americans. The missions gave Spain a major presence in the western frontier. Spain also needed harbors for ships to dock for the repairs of their ships and to replenish their supplies. The Franciscans brought European livestock, vegetables, fruit, horses, and ranching to California.. Today, the missions are some of California's oldest buildings and most visited historic monuments.

History of the Mission: The California Mission were established by Spain to help control their lands in the evergrowing New World. The