San Rafael in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mission San Rafael Arcangel
Then and Now
Founded in 1817 by Padre Vincente Sarria as an “asistencia” or adjunct to Mission Dolores. Mission San Rafael was originally designated a sanitarium for native converts suffering from San Francisco’s generally damper climate. Here, under sunnier skies and the medical care of Padre Luis Gil, many of the “neophytes” were restored to good health. With the addition of local converts, the asistencia soon grew from a few hundred to over 1000 inhabitants. Under the impressive tutelage of Padre Juan Amoro, native women were taught a range of domestic skills while the men were trained as farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, cowboys, and boat builders. So successful were they in making the asistencia a thriving self sufficient community, that in 1822, San Rafael was raised to full mission status. In 1834, however, the Mexican government, far less committed to the missions as was Spain, decided to secularize them. Following secularization, the Church maintained some presence in San Rafael, but the mission’s subsequent history is one of abandonment and gradual decline. At times, its facilities were used by civic and other groups. In 1846 General John Fremont used the mission as headquarters in his battles to establish the Bear Flag Republic. The mission buildings were ultimately destroyed to make room for the growing pueblo of San Rafael. The Church, nevertheless, maintained its presence here. In 1847 a priest was once again living at the mission; in 1861 a small chapel was built near the ruins of the original one.
This map shows Mission San Rafael in the year 1831. It is based on three maps of the ruined mission. The maps do not always agree but historians think this is most likely how it appeared. The buildings do not face the street we see today, but in 1831, they looked down the main road of town.
Looking at the map we see some things that are typical of Spanish colonial churches and things that are not. It is typical for a church to have a place for people to live on one side of the church and a cemetery on the other side. Unlike most of the missions there never was a courtyard or plaza. (Marker Number 220.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 37° 58.462′ N, 122° 31.683′ W. Marker is in San Rafael, California, in Marin County. Marker can be reached from 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1104 5th Avenue, San Rafael CA 94901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marin (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mission San Rafael Arcangel (within shouting distance of this marker); James M. Donahue Ferry Bell (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Gate House (about 500 feet away); Falkirk Community Cultural Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Belrose Theater (approx. ¼ mile away); How San Rafael Got Its Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Bradford House (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Rafael.
Regarding Mission San Rafael Arcangel. Mission San Rafael Arcangel was founded on December 14, 1817 by Father Vicente de Sarria under the patronage of San Rafael Arcángel, the angel of bodily healing. It was the 20th mission in the 21 mission chain in Alta California. The mission started as an asistencia hospital to treat the sick Indians from Mission San Francisco de Asis. A number of the invalid Indians were transferred to the new settlement and, with a handful of converts attracted from the vicinity, they formed a neophyte community. By the end of the first year, the asistencia had a population of over 300. Before long, the little colony at San Rafael was a healthy community in which more than 1,000 neophytes were living. On October 19, 1822, San Rafael was declared independent of Mission Dolores and raised to full mission stature.
Also see . . . San Rafael Arcángel. California Missions Foundation website entry (Submitted on August 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,687 times since then and 146 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on April 28, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.