Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded 1772 on the Central Coast of California on a site located halfway between Santa Barbara and Monterey. It was named after Saint Louis, the bishop of Toulouse. The mission is nicknamed the "Prince of Missions." The Mission church of San Luis Obispo is unusual in its design in that its combination of belfry and vestibule is found nowhere else among the California missions. The main nave is long and narrow (as is the case with other mission churches), but at San Luis Obispo there is a secondary nave of almost equal size situated to the right of the altar, making this the only "L"-shaped mission church among all of the California missions. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... San Luis Obispo, San Luis, or SLO (Spanish for ) is a city in California. ... St Louis of Toulouse by Piero della Francesca Saint Louis of Toulouse (February 1274 – August 19, 1297) was a cadet of the royal French house of Anjou who was made a Catholic bishop. ... New city flag (Occitan cross) Traditional coat of arms Motto: (Occitan: For Toulouse, always more) Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country Region Midi-Pyrénées Department Haute-Garonne (31) Intercommunality Community of Agglomeration of Greater Toulouse Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc  (UMP) (since 2004) City Statistics Land... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Majorcan (Spain) Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California. ... The Spanish Missions in California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans. ... Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ... Rafael, a Chumash in the 1800s Pre-contact distribution of the Chumash The Chumash are a Native American tribe who historically inhabit mainly the southern coastal regions of California, in the vicinity of what is now Santa Barbara and Ventura, extending as far south as Malibu. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Roman Catholic Church... California Historical Landmarks (CHLs) are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below: approved for designation by the County Board of Supervisors or the City/Town Council in whose... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Central Coast is an area of California, United States, extending from Santa Cruz in the north to Santa Barbara in the south, but centering primarily on Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Nickname: Santa Barbara is situated on the southward-facing coast at far right. ... Nickname: Location of Monterey, California County Monterey Government  - Mayor Chuck Della Sala Area  - City 30. ... The term Belfry has a variety of uses: For the architectural term see:Belfry (architecture) For the U.S. town in Montana see Belfry, Montana For the English golf club see The De Vere Belfry There is also a German Epic Metal band called Belfry. ... A floorplan with a modern vestibule shown in red. ... Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... Look up Altar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Spanish Missions of California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier...

History

In the year 1769, Gaspar de Portola discovered San Luis Obispo on a journey north to rediscover the Bay of Monterey [1]. It was in this year when San Luis Obispo received its nickname as the la Cañada de los Osos ("Valley of the Bears") by diarist, Padre Juan Crespi.^[3] Briefly following the discovery of San Luis Obispo, the city was forgotten for many years. In 1772, when food supplies started to dwindle, Father Junipero Serra remembered the "Valley of the Bears." He decided to send hunters on expeditions to kill the bears in order to feed the Spanish and the Neophytes (indians that converted to christianity) in the north. The huge success of the hunting expedition caused Father Junipero Serra to consider building a mission in fertile San Luis Obispo. Upon further investigation he was convinced that San Luis Obispo would be a perfect site for a mission based on its surplus of natural resources, good weather and the Chumash, a local friendly Indian tribe who could provide the labor for constructing the mission. The mission became the fifth in the mission chain constructed by Father Junipero Serra.[2] 1769 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Gaspar de Portolá (ca. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... Juan Crespi (1721–1782), was a Spanish missionary and explorer in the Southwest, a Franciscan. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... Rafael, a Chumash in the 1800s Pre-contact distribution of the Chumash The Chumash are a Native American tribe who historically inhabit mainly the southern coastal regions of California, in the vicinity of what is now Santa Barbara and Ventura, extending as far south as Malibu. ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ...

Father Serra sent an expedition down south to San Luis Obispo to start building the mission. On September 1, 1772 a cross was erected near San Luis Obispo Creek and Father Junipero Serra celebrated the first mass, marking the site as the destination for yet another mission. However, briefly following the first mass, Father Junipero Serra returned to San Diego and left the responsibility of the mission’s construction to Father Jose Cavaller. Father Cavaller, five soldiers and two neophytes began building what is now Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... San Luis Obispo Creek is a stream in San Luis Obispo County, California. ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 - August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan who founded the California mission chain. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin...

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa as it looked circa 1900. Note that the wooden belfry has been removed and the chapel façade has been modified substantially in the recent photo below.

Father Cavaller received help in the building of the Mission from the local friendly natives, the Chumash Indians. The Chumash helped construct palisades, which would serve as temporary buildings for the Mission. However due to several Indian tribes which were determined to get rid of European settlers, they set these buildings ablaze[3]. Because of this, Father Cavaller was forced to rebuild the buildings using adobe and tile structures. Starting in the year of 1794 Mission San Luis Obispo went through extensive building operations[4]. They helped build numerous buildings to accommodate the nearby Indians. They also made many improvements and additions to the Mission. The renovation was finally finished when they completed the quadrangle in 1819, celebrated a year later by the arrival of two mission bells from Lima, Peru [5]. The arrival of the bells marked the end of improvements made to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa for many years[6]. In 1830 Fr. Luis Gil y Taboada took over the mission however 3 years later he died[7]. Then in 1842 the death of Fr. Ramon Abella marked the last Franciscan at the mission[8]. Image File history File links San_Luis_Obispo_de_Tolosa_circa_1900_Keystone-Mast. ... Image File history File links San_Luis_Obispo_de_Tolosa_circa_1900_Keystone-Mast. ... The term native as an adjective or noun has the following meanings. ... Palisades is also a general term for steep cliffs next to a river. ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Quadrangle of University of Sydney In architecture, a quadrangle, or more colloquially, quad, is a space or courtyard, usually square or rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about Lima, Peru. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ...

In 1845, Governor Pío Pico declared the Mission buildings for sale and he sold everything except the church for a total of $510. John C. Frémont and his "California Battalion" used the Mission as a base of operations during their war with Mexico in 1846 (see Bear Flag Revolt). The Mission fell into ruins during the period of secularization and the priests that were left would rent out rooms to help support the Mission. The Mission San Luís Obispo de Tolosa became the first courthouse and jail in San Luis Obispo County, California. In 1872, during the 100th anniversary of the Mission, improvements began, but real restoration did not begin until 1933. The Mission is still the center of the busy downtown area, and functions as a Roman Catholic parish church for the City of San Luis Obispo in the Diocese of Monterey. Although many changes have come to the Mission, it remains the center of town. In 1970 the Mission “was recognized as the center of the City of San Luis Obispo, with the dedication of Mission Plaza[9].” 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Pío de Jesus Pico Lopez (May 5, 1801–September 11, 1894) was the last Mexican Governor of Alta California, now the U.S. state of California. ... John Charles Frémont (January 21, 1813 – July 13, 1890), was an American military officer, explorer, the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of President of the United States, and the first Presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform in opposition to slavery. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The first Bear Flag. ... In most counties in the United States the local trial courts conduct their business in a centrally located courthouse which may also house the offices of the county treasurer, clerk and recorder and assessor. ... San Luis Obispo County is a county located on the central Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. ... The Mission Basilica San Carlos Borromeo is the oldest church in the Diocese of Monterey The Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey in California (Latin: Dioecesis Montereyensis in California) is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese in the United States of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Central... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The city of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (also SLO) is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. Luis is pronounced as Lewis. ...

Native tribes

The Chumash Indians were some of the first people to settle on the coast of California. They covered a distance of 7,000 miles of the coast stretching from Malibu to Paso Robles [10]. The name Chumash translates to the “bead maker” and “seashell people.” As hunters and gatherers in lands of rich game and vegetation they become a prosperous and successful tribe, using resources from both the land and ocean. The natural productivity of their lands meant they did not need to farm for food, relying on fish and other meat that they would hunt or catch. Despite the abundance of fish and game in the area the Chumash believed that no part of an animal should be put to waste, tribe members used every part of the catch and were grateful for the animal’s life. The tribe strongly believed in giving back to nature that was so generous to them, providing them with daily sustenance. The Chumash were united with nature and believed in “nature’s time”; meaning human greed could lead to downfall [11]. They performed ceremonies and had feasts to celebrate the significant seasons and harvest that was given to them by nature.

The Chumash's appreciation for nature as well as other tribes caused them to be skilled traders. Their monetary system, an integral part of their trade system, was based on beads and seashells, hence the name of their tribe. They traded items such as herbs, beautiful handmade baskets, and stone cookware along with many other artifacts [12]. As the first Indian tribes to use the technique of putting tar between each piece of wood in the construction of watercraft the Chumash were also considered great boat builders. The boats constructed of red wood and tar allowed them to sail from village to village all along the coastline, enabling to become prosperous in not only trade but also hunting [13].

Although the Chumash tribe has dwindled considerably, caves along the coastline used for religious ceremonies still give voice to the once powerful tribe. As a way to tell their stories they would draw on the walls of the cave with charcoal, creating a record of their lives and traditions ranging from mundane daily activities to exciting hunts and religious ceremonies. As time went on colors were added to their paintings of stories. Red, orange, and yellow pigments found in the environment were added to the walls in dots around the figures recording the vibrancy the Chumash once had [14].

Five Spanish missions were eventually built in Chumash territory. In the area of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa the Spanish came through their territory in an expedition and introduced the gun to the Chumash. The Chumash were grateful for the Spaniards guns as they depended on hunting bears for food, which had previously caused many problems for the Indians. The Chumash helped these Spaniards build the missions and take care of it and its surroundings. The missions become part of life for the Chumash. Other tribes south of this area did not like the “white men” and wanted them to move on from this area. Therefore they would shoot burning arrows at the missions and village around it. It caused a lot of damage to the dry buildings. Finally they thought to make clay tiles for the roof because they would not start on fire. Those were the first roof tiles to be introduced and were quickly picked up by the surrounding villages for missions. Also not only were they fire proof, but they kept the buildings dry and protected [15].

By the end of 1805 there were a total of 2,074 baptisms and 2,091 deaths at the mission. Between 1811 and 1820 there were numerous houses built for the Indians. They also made improvements and additions to the mission. Toward the end of this time two bells were sent from Lima, Peru to keep at the mission. The economy of the missions is similar to other missions in that they planted wheat and corn. They also raised cattle and sheep. The crops were used as food for the Indians or for trade. Also the bears they killed were traded between villages as well. In 1834 Mexico ended the missions operation and sold the land. They gave some land to the Indians because they could not buy land. After almost 30 years, all of the missions become Catholic[16] . 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about Lima, Peru. ... Year 1834 (MDCCCXXXIV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Goals

In 1602 the Spanish began to show interest in California and sent Sebastian Vizcaino, a pearl fisher, to explore the area. Vizcaino traveled the coast naming many of the cities that are important to the California coast today such as San Diego, Santa Barbara and Monterey. Spain finally chose to create Vizcaino's suggested chain of missions when it was proven that California was indeed part of the continent. The goal of creating the chain was given to the Franciscan Order. While Spain had economic motives for establishing a stronghold in California, the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church also had religious motives [17]. With these factors in mind the missions were created in order to control the coast so that the ships from Spain would remain safe as well as bring the Natives to the Catholic faith. Re-education became the method for reaching Spain’s religious and economic goals as they strived to convert the Indians to Catholicism as well as make them loyal Spanish subjects. This page is about the year. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Sebastian Vizcaino was a Spanish captain and ambassador to Japan. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... For a quick link, please see the city of Santa Barbara, California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Franciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ... The term native as an adjective or noun has the following meanings. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      As a Christian ecclesiastical...

To accomplish these goals the Spaniards had to convince the Indians that the Catholic faith was better than their own and had much more to offer them. Once an Indian decided to convert to the Catholic faith he was baptized and became a neophyte. Once a neophyte, the Indian lived in the Mission attend masses regularly. The Spaniards taught the new neophytes more in depth aspects of the Catholic faith and introduced them to the European lifestyle [18]. As a part of mission life the Indians were taught Spanish and Latin for services, how to read music, sing as well as how to be skilled weavers, seamstresses, carpenters, tile makers, farmers and cattle herders. These lessons prepared the Indians to be a part of the Church as well as of the self-sustaining community of the mission where everyone contributed work to the success of the mission. In Warhammer 40,000 a Neophyte is a Space Marine in training. ... In Warhammer 40,000 a Neophyte is a Space Marine in training. ... In Warhammer 40,000 a Neophyte is a Space Marine in training. ... A European is primarily a person who was born into one of the countries within the continent of Europe. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... Turn of the century sewing in Detroit, Michigan An old sewing machine Sewing is an ancient craft involving the stitching of cloth, animal skins, furs, or other materials, using needle and thread. ... The Carpenters were a vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. ... Farmer spreading grasshopper bait in his alfalfa field. ... It has been suggested that Ecclesia (Church) be merged into this article or section. ...

Modern-day uses

Hundreds of years after its creation, Mission San Luis Obispo, located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, remains integral to the town and community that were built around it.

The entrance lobby and belfry of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in June 2004. A statue of Fray Junípero Serra stands outside the church.

The mission plaza has grassy lawns, benches, fountain, as well as meticulously maintained gardens that create a welcoming environment. California’s 325th registered historical landmark provides a place of relaxation as well as of historical insight. Many families bring children to play and relax while others come to learn about the history the mission has to offer. The mission is available to people of all interest levels, from the casual observer who would like to walk through the sanctuary and courtyard gardens admission charge free at their own pace, to the individual who is looking for a Church to participate in or a guided tour and reading information Download high resolution version (600x800, 74 KB)Entrance lobby and belfry of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, with statue of Fray Junipero Serra Reduced from a photograph taken on 17th June 2004 by Stephen Lea. ... Download high resolution version (600x800, 74 KB)Entrance lobby and belfry of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, with statue of Fray Junipero Serra Reduced from a photograph taken on 17th June 2004 by Stephen Lea. ... Blessed Junípero Serra (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Majorcan (Spain) Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California. ...

The mission is a fully functional Catholic church offering a variety of services. The Parish describes its vision in the weekly bulletin as “To be a Eucharistic Community striving to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The bulletin also includes its mission “To make our vision a reality daily by being: Loving and open, faith-filled and prayerful, gracious stewards, passionate about the needs of others”. Saturday night vigils, Sunday mass given in English, Spanish and a Bilingual version, weekday services as well as reconciliation sacraments on Saturdays are offered in order to satisfy the diverse religious needs of the community. The church bulletin, available in the sanctuary details a plethora of other services and announcements including names and contacts for church officials, small group based religious programs for all ages, as well as announcements and church schedules.

In addition to offering religious services and a glimpse into the past, the San Luis Obispo mission is active in our community, providing assistance in a variety of ways. In the courtyard there are various wishing wells, all with notices of where the money thrown into the wells go, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Year round the mission collects money for this organization that provides things such as food, clothing, utilities, even rent money and bus tickets for people who are experiencing financial difficulties. The mission also recognizes that while some people need financial support others need guidance, which is why there is a youth group center on the mission property. The high school and youth groups are a place where young adults come together not only to deal with the stresses of their own lives but also do so while helping others. One of the main components of these youth groups are the special service projects that the kids participate in, helping them earn a better sense of self worth.

While efforts to give to others and volunteer take place all year at the mission, the holiday season has many more programs to provide assistance to the community. The mission is involved with Toys for Tots, as well as the Giving Tree Project. In this program underprivileged children write down a wish they have for Christmas and tie them onto the Christmas tree, each member of the church then takes the wish and buys the gift for the child, making their wish come true,

The month of January marks a transformation in the missions, when it literally opens its doors and provides overflow housing for a month to the homeless as well as cots, food, clothing, toys

Mass schedule

Saturday: 5:30 p.m. Vigil

Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m.,

10:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m. Bilingual,

6:00 p.m. and 7:30p.m. Spanish

Weekdays: 7:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Notes

1. ^ Leffingwell, p. 85
2. ^ ^{a b} Yenne, p. 56
3. ^ ^{a b}  Ruscin, p. 53
4. ^ Ruscin, p. 196
5. ^ Ruscin, p. 195

References

• Crump, Spencer . California's Spanish Missions: Their Yesterdays and Todays. Trans- Anglo Books, Carona Del Mar, Ca
• Leffingwell, Randy (2005). California Missions and Presidios: The History & Beauty of the Spanish Missions. Voyageur Press, Inc., Stillwater, MN. ISBN 0-89658-492-5. 
• Ruscin, Terry (1999). Mission Memoirs. Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, CA. ISBN 0-932653-30-8. 
• Yenne, Bill (2004). The Missions of California. Advantage Publshers Group, San Diego, CA. ISBN 1-59223-319-8. 

• Mission San Luis Obispo History
• San Luis Obispo Mission
• California Missions
• Mission Tour
• California Mission
• Chumash Indians
• Chumash History
• Spanish Missions

See also

• Spanish missions in California
• USNS Mission San Luis Obispo — a Mission Buenaventura Class fleet oiler built during World War II.

The Spanish Missions in California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans. ... The USNS Mission San Luis Obispo was one of twenty-seven Mission Buenaventura Class fleet oilers built during World War II for service in the United States Navy, named for the Franciscan mission located in San Luis Obispo, California. ... The USNS Mission Buenaventura is one of twenty-seven similar fleet oilers built during World War II for service in the United States Navy. ... An oiler is a ship, also called a tanker, that can carry a liquid cargo of petroleum, or a naval support vessel that carries fuel to other naval ships steaming at sea, and can transfer the fuel during underway RAS improved fleet operations reliability, availabiltiy and serviceability. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

External links

• Elevation & Site Layout sketches of the Mission proper