Cemetery

There are no marked graves within the cemetery; just a cross at the far end. But, tread with care, legend has it the cemetery, indeed the whole Mission, is haunted!

Picture taken 2:40pm 21 Jul 2001

From the cemetery you can easily see the back of the campanario with its three bells. The structure was copied from Mission Santa Inés. According to a sign the two bottom bells are original to the Mission (note that they swing) and the top bell was carved from wood and set in place to await a bronze bell. To my eye, the top bell looks real and metal; a clapper is clearly visible. On the other hand, when the bells were rung at noon only two sounds were heard (you can listen to a Windows Media Access [.WMA] file of the bells by pressing the button between them). You judge by looking closely at the picture and listening. I'll clarify on a later visit when I hope to be able to climb the campanario and see the bells up close.

Don't stop at the cemetery. Proceed through the back gate and walk a ways up the hill. Looking back you see a unique (and beautiful) view of the bell tower and cemetery.

Picture taken 2:45pm 21 Jul 2001

Also behind the cemetery are the soap/tallow pits. Tallow was a major feature of the missions. Interior lighting was all by candles and tallow was the major ingredient in soap. These pits were used to render beef fat. Over a low heat the fat would melt and separate into clear and cloudy components. The clear tallow was drawn off and used for candles and soap.

Picture taken 2:45pm 21 Jul 2001

OK, let's continue the tour at the church. Go back through the cemetery and turn left; the church entrance is by the large stand of cactus.

Picture taken 2:25pm 21 Jul 2001

Let's now go into the church...