Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Father Junipero Serra

1713–1784

Photographed By Tceng, April 8, 2012

1. Father Junipero Serra 1713-1784 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Born on the island of Majorca, off the coast of Spain, Father Serra was ordained in Palma where he taught for fifteen years before being sent to Mexico as a missionary in 1749. In 1769 he became Padre Presidente of the Franciscan missions in Baja California. That same year he accompanied Gaspar de Portola on a colonization expedition to San Diego where he founded the first of the nine missions he established in Alta California. Despite an injured leg and constant pain, Father Serra labored mightily in the service of the church and was a major leader in the conquest of California for Spain.

This statue was erected by the Knights of Columbus in 1932 and was rededicated on the 200th anniversary of Father Serra’s death on August 28, 1784.

Español: Padre Junipero Serra 1713-1784 Nació en la isla de Majorca cerca de la costa de España. El Padre Serra fue ordenado en Palma donde predico por quince años antes de ser enviado a Mexico como misionero en 1749.

En 1769 se convertio Padre Presidente de las misiones Franciscanas en la Baja California. El mismo año acompañado

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por Gaspar de Portolá fue a una expedición de colonización a San Diego donde fundo una de las primeras nueve misiones que establecio en la Alta California. No obstante de tener una pierna lastimada en constant dolor, El Padre Serra laboró vigorosamente en los servicios de la Iglesia donde fue un importante lider en la conquista de California para España.

Esta estatua fue edificada por los Caballeros de Colón en 1932 y se reconsagro en el 200avo aniversario de su fallecimiento en Augusto 28 de 1784.

Erected 1984 by Los Caballeros de Colón.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Exploration • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1749.

Location. 34° 3.364′ N, 118° 14.299′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker is on Los Angeles Street just north of Arcadia Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Latino Blood, American Hearts (within shouting distance of this marker); Homage to Our Mexican-American Heroes (within shouting distance of this marker); Navarro (within shouting distance of this marker); Moreno

Padre Junipero Serra 1713-1784 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tceng, April 8, 2012

2. Padre Junipero Serra 1713-1784

En Español

(within shouting distance of this marker); Rodríguez (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza Fire House (within shouting distance of this marker); Carlos III (within shouting distance of this marker); Mesa (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. The bronze figure is a replica of the one done by Cadorin for the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall in 1930. The replica was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus in celebration of the sesquicentennial of the City of Los Angeles. Architect T. F. Power designed the base, and his assistant was Marion Brackenridge. The sculpture was first installed in a traffic circle at Sunset and Spring streets.

Regarding Father Junipero Serra. The statue of Saint Junípero Serra was toppled by protesters on June 20, 2020.

Father Junipero Serra Markers and Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tceng, April 8, 2012

3. Father Junipero Serra Markers and Statue

Fra. Junipero Serra image. Click for full size.

Photograph by J.J. Prats, December 4, 2018

4. Fra. Junipero Serra

Cast in 1931, this bronze by Ettore Cadorin is 8¾ feet high on a 8½ foot concrete base. The Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog describes the statue as an “‘idealized’ portrait of Father Serra [holding] a small replica of Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo in his proper left hand, and a cross aloft in his proper right hand.

The Father Serra Statue is Missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, December 15, 2020

5. The Father Serra Statue is Missing

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,425 times since then and 258 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 4. submitted on September 8, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.