This mission was named for St. John who was born in Capistrano in the Abruzzi in 1386. He became a lawyer and later governor of Perugia in 1412. After the death of his wife, John joined the friars and began a career of service to the church. He became an active leader of the Hungarian resistance to Moslem domination and died during the siege of Belgrade in 1456. He was canonized in 1724.

Saint John of Capistrano

The mellowed ruins of San Juan Capistrano tell a story of mixed achievement and disaster. The wide-spreading adobe structure reveals the existence of a once-large and thriving establishment and, looming above the low buildings, the massive remains of a great stone church stand as a monument to a brief but glorious chapter in early California history. The first glory of the mission has departed, but an afterglow of charm lingers in the colorful remains.

Capistrano was really founded twice. In 1775 Fermin de Lasuen set up a cross and dedicated the ground. The work went on eight days but was suddenly stopped when news arrived of an Indian attack at San Diego. When peace was restored, a second founding party under Fr. Serra journeyed to the site a year later. They found the cross still in place and rededicated the site on November 1, 1776. One year later the first little adobe church was built which still exists today. It is called Fr. Serra’s church because it is the only one still standing where it is known that he celebrated Mass.