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Mission San Juan CapistranoMission San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776 by Father Junpero Serra, the seventh mission in the California mission chain. It was named for St. John of Capistrano, Italy, a theologian. Actually, the mission was founded twice; originally it was founded by Father Fermn Francisco de Lasun on October 30, 1775, but eight days after the founding the Mission San Diego de Alcal came under attack. The padres, soldiers and others returned to San Diego, and Padre Lasun buried the San Juan Capistrano mission bells. Father Serra returned to uncover the bells and once again began the mission at San Juan Capistrano. In 1797, work began on what was to become the largest church in the California mission chain (nicknamed "Serra's Church" and thought to be California's oldest standing building). It was finished in 1806. In December of 1812, an earthquake hit the area and destroyed most of the church and its 120-foot tall campanile (bell tower), killing 40 Native Americans. In 1845 the mission was "expropriated" {sold) to Governor Pio Pico's brother-in-law for $710,000. The mission property was returned to the Catholic church in 1865 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. The Mission San Juan Capistrano was not kept up during the years following secularization. By 1866, the mission was rotting and near ruin. Several attempts were made to restore the mission, but it was not until 1910 when Father John O'Sullivan came to the mission that it was completely restored and rebuilt. In 1918, Father O'Sullivan was given permission to make the mission into an active church once again. Today, the mission is an active parish that continues to serve the people of the City of San Juan Capistrano, California. The mission and the grounds have been completely restored, with a complete quadrangle, although the church has been preserved in ruins as a memorial to the victims of the earthquake. In some of the rooms at the mission are museums and displays from the mission period. Visitors are welcomed. The restoration and care given to Mission San Juan Capistrano has helped it to be known as the "Jewel of the Missions." Pope John Paul II designated the mission as a minor Basilica on February 14, 2000. The recently constructed mission parish church, to the north of and outside the quadrangle perimeter, was inspired by the way the mission church might have appeared prior to the December 1812 earthquake. One of the most popular events is the return of the swallows each March 19, Saint Joseph's Day. These birds are said to fly south for the winter on October 23 and return on March 19 every year, an occasion for festivities. A "Looney Tunes" cartoon was once based on this event, telling the tale of a cat chasing a certain swallow. Historic designations See also External link Orange County
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