protection. Genenal Vallejo did maintain the church for a time but it too was eventually plundered of its tiles and timber. In 1841, a new church was built on the original site of the first church and is still standing today. Governor Pio Pico offered it for sale in 1845 but no one bought it.  In 1846, there was a short coup in Sonoma by a band of Americans, preparing for the imminent arrival of the United States military. After the United States takeover, Mission Solano was used as a parish church, but its condition was so poor that it was sold and a new church was built in another part of town. The priest's house was later used for winemaking and the church was used for storing hay and as a blacksmith shop. The priests who planted the first grapevines helped make this area the heart of the wine country.
In 1903, the Historic Landmark League purchased the property and began restoration. The church was severely damaged in a 1906 earthquake and repairs were made in 1911-1912 with state funding. In 1926, the League deeded the property to the State of California and it has now become the Sonoma Mission State Historic Park. Most of the restoration took place from 1943 to 1944 and includes Sonoma Barracks, The Plaza, La Casa Grande, and the Toscano Hotel. There are no pews in the Church as it was historically when the Indians first worshipped here.
Present day location: At the City Plaza in Sonoma at Spain Street and First Street.
Mission San Francisco Solano, Spain St. and 1st St., (20 E. Spain St. - Box), Sonoma, CA 95476,  (707) 938-1519