Downtown Ventura in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Fray Junipero Serra
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Fray Junipero Serra Marker
Fray Junipero Serra was born on the island of Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. He attended school and seminary in Palma de Majorca, the capital. He joined the Franciscan Order and in 1737, was ordained a priest, eventually becoming a professor of theology.
The Franciscan mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ led him to dedicate his life to the Native American peoples of New Spain, arriving in Mexico in 1749.
Fray Junipero Serra walked from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. Fray Junipero first worked among the people of the Sierra Gorda region in central Mexico, then among the indigenous people in Baja California. He then went to Alta California establishing missions for the Native American people.
This last effort began with the founding of Mission San Diego in 1769 and ended with the establishment of San Buenaventura Mission in 1782. Father Serra died in 1784 and is buried at Mission San Carlos Bormeo in Carmel.
Fray Junipero Serra's dream of bringing the Christian faith to the Indians continued until 21 missions were built in California. His personal motto was "Siempre Adelante" - Always Forward.
Pope John Paul beatified Fray Junipero Serra on September 25, 1988. The cause for Serra's canonization is pending. Today San
this page online
Erected 2012 by San Buenaventura Mission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 34° 16.862′ N, 119° 17.856′ W. Marker is in Ventura, California, in Ventura County. It is in Downtown Ventura. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Figueroa Street Mall, on the right when traveling west. Located in the courtyard at the Ventura Mission. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 E Main St, Ventura CA 93001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, on Central Coast, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chumash People, Produce and Livestock at The Mission (here, next to this marker); Chumash Daily Life At The Mission (a few steps from this marker); Mission San Buenaventura (a few steps from this marker); San Buenaventura Mission Quadrangles (a few steps from this marker); Lavanderia (within shouting distance of this marker); San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Peirano Market (within
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2024
2. Fray Junipero Serra Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
