Chapter 12

To date, our next stop BY FAR has been the most interesting Mission we've visited.  In Lompoc, CA, was Mission La Purisima de Concepcion, founded on December 8, 1787.  The 11th Mission of the 21 California Missions, this Mission is no longer an active parish but has been established as a State Park by the state of California.  Unlike the other Missions, Mission La Purisima de Concepcion still appears as it did so many years ago.  Walking into the park, the Mission is not landlocked, but rather surrounded by vast emptiness.  To the right are the animal pens, filled with live animals that may have been customary to the Mission in the 1700s.  Still in the back of the Mission are the community kitchen, the pottery room with kiln, and the tallow vats.  As you walk on the paths, you can see the aquaduct system still flowing with water.  The range of land (and the buildings on it) is remarkably large, and somewhat eerie, as if the people who once inhabited the land disappeared, leaving everything as is.  Almost as if it was a haunted site - even though it wasn't.  http://www.lapurisimamission.org/

Mission La Purisima de Concepcion, est. December 8, 1787 in Lompoc, CA.

Historical marker and information about Mission La Purisima de Concepcion, #11 of 21 California Missions.

Mom and I spent a good two hours visiting the grounds, Mom acting as tour guide and historian as I tried to nurse the camera batteries and take as many pictures as possible.   Besides the fact that Mission La Purisima de Concepcion is not a working Mission, but rather a state park, it is the only Mission that is built in a straight line and not a quadrangle.  Such a characteristic gained its nickname "The Linear Mission".   Also, Father Payeras' (the Padre of the church who was elected president of the California Missions in 1815) is buried at Mission La Purisima de Concepcion, and used it as his residence, whereas all other Mission presidents resided (and are buried) in Carmel.   http://www.lapurisimamission.org/

This mission was unbelievable and definitely a highlight of the day (August 5, 2011).  We may hope to visit again in the future, but for now, we walked away from this one with a bit of awe and many memories.

On the 'footbridge' headed into the Mission on August 5, 2011 (my birthday!).

"The Linear Mission", Mission La Purisima de Concepcion holds up to its nickname.



The alter in the main church where Father Payeras is buried.   His grave is marked at the top of the stairs.



Our 'tourguide', Mom, reads about the history of Mission La Purisima de Concepcion, 11th of the 21 California Missions.  In the back, a natural spring had caused damage to the original tiles under the choir loft.

Side view outside of the church of Mission La Purisima de Concepcion.  To the far right is the cemetary marked only with a cross representing the Chumash Indians here.  In the back are the tallow vats, used to make candles and soap.

Another view of the La Camaparia from under the arch.  The church was virtually destroyed in the earthquake of 1812.

On display was this loom in the 'weaving' room, used by Indians to make rugs, blankets, etc. from sheep wool.

The smaller chapel, which appeared in better condition than the large sanctuar - Mission La Purisima de Concepcion.

The long corridor at Mission La Purisima de Concepcion.

This wall, left untouched by the CCC (California Conservation Corps), shows the adobe walls of the Mission prior to restoration.

Outside the pottery shop with the kiln to my right at Mission La Purisima de Concepcion (8/5/11).

Mom by the Lavenderia (where they washed clothes and themselves).  Mission La Purisima de Concepcion still has evidence of its flowing aquaduct system.

One of two central fountains in the courtyard with one of the 'shops and quarters' buildings behind it at Mission La Purisima de Concepcion.