Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1776 as the 7th (of 21) mission along the Camino Real. It had actually been founded in 1775 by Father Fermin Lasuen, but within days of this original founding, the Kumeyaay attacked Mission San Diego and burned it down to the ground, brutally killing Father Jayme. In fear of expanding revolt, the mission bells were buried and the site quickly abandoned. Father Serra returned in 1776, with the first adobe chapel completed in 1778. A larger chapel (the Serra Church) was completed in 1782 and is still in use, the oldest building in California. By this time, of the Mission's quadrangle was also completed. So, if it took from the founding date of 1776 to 1782 to build the original quadrangle, it took 6 years -- four sides of buildings surrounding a large center court. But additional construction continued, especially with the building of the Great Stone Church (1797-1806). A massive earthquake destroyed it in 1812.
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776. For over the next 30 years, Mission San Juan Capistrano grew in population, buildings, livestock, and prominence. By 1806, Mission San Juan Capistrano had a population of over a 1,000 people, over 10,000 head of cattle, and a completed architectural gem, The Great Stone Church.
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