Encyclopedia > Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad was founded on October 9, 1791 by Father Fermin Lasuen, the thirteenth mission in the California mission chain. It was named for Our Lady of Solitude, and is located in the small town of Soledad, California.
For 90 years after secularization the mission sat crumbling in the wind and rain. In 1954, when restoration was begun, only piles of adobe dirt were remaining. All that was left was the front part of the chapel. It is still being rebuilt and restored, and archeologists are still at work. The ruins of the quadrangle, cemetery and some of the rooms can still be seen.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad today serves as a mission of the parish of Soledad. It is open for visitors, but is not used as a parish church.
MissionNuestra Señora DolorosÃsima delaSoledad, thirteenth in the chain of Alta Californiamissions, was established on October 9, 1791 by Fr.
Soledad's boundaries met with those of Mission San Carlos (Carmel) on the west, and stretched from La Laguna de los Palos on the south to Chualar on the north.
Soledad Indians tended 2,000 sheep at La Laguna Rancho, while two leagues west of La Laguna another 1,600 sheep were kept on a rancho used with the permission of Mission San Carlos.