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part by the enthusiastic crowd of Indians, mostly Salinian, who were told about life in the missions by other neophytes who had come to join the mission. The first day had 15 baptisms and within six years there were 1000 converts. The land was also fertile, located near the Salinas River. There were bountiful crops and vineyards and thousands of livestock tended to. The Indians would become famous tile makers and brick makers. They learned many trades including leather, iron, wood, stone and cloth.
The first adobe church had only a mud roof but lasted until 1806 when a fire consumed it. Afterwards, a new and larger church with a tiled roof was constructed. A unique feature of this mission is its numerous arches, of varying sizes. Spanish artist Estevan Munras decorated the interior with bright colors and stenciled patterns. This is the only mission with its original artwork, so that today it still appears as vibrant and untouched as when it was drawn.
The first padre was Father Antonio Horra who went insane and was sent back to Mexico. The second padre was Father Juan Martin who stayed for 27 years. While there, an effort was made to develop asistencias or sub-missions further east, in central California, but hostile Indians made them stop their efforts. The last father to serve there was Father Ramon, who left in 1841. There would be no resident pastor from 1842 to 1878.
This was the last mission to be secularized. In 1831, the governor of Mexico offered the Indians a choice to leave or stay at the mission, but all the Indians chose to stay. By 1834, secularization became official and as different administrators took over the Indian population decreased to 200.
In 1845, Governor Pio Pico sold the entire mission except the church and priest's quarters. One purchaser was William Reed and Petronillo Rios Reed who moved into the mission and opened a store for travelers. Since this became a frequent stopover for unsavory travelers during the Gold Rush, three robbers, after hearing William Reed boast of hidden wealth in the mission, killed Reed and his household. The robbers were caught and later executed. Other uses for the mission included saloon, dance hall, storeroom and living quarters. In 1859, the United States government returned the mission to the Church. In 1901 and 1928, restoration was done by the Franciscan Order, who maintain it and run an active parish church.
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