The present reconstruction of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad includes the Church and one wing of the original quadrangle; the padre’s quarters and administrative center (click on the image to enlarge).
Picture taken 11:20am 26 Feb 2012
The Church you see now is not sitting in the original position; that is at the opposite end of the quadrangle (to the right in the photo above). The original location will eventually be studied for size and layout so that a more accurate reproduction can later be built.
Picture taken 12:32pm 26 Feb 2012
In 2003, the original Mission bell hung to the left of the Church (as you look at the front door). Today that bell has been moved into the museum for protection and preservation and a smaller bell with a “Mission Inn” logo on it now hangs in its place.
 Picture taken 1:45pm 1 Sep 2003 |
 Picture taken 1:44pm 26 Feb 2012 |
As you drive up to the Mission toward the parking area, look left and you see a cross. You might wonder why there is a cross in this area. An exhibit in the Museum makes that clear; at one time what is now the parking lot for the Mission was one of the cemetery areas.
Picture taken 12:23pm 26 Feb 2012
The portion of the padre’s quarters closest to the church is now a gift shop and the remainder is set out as a museum.
Picture taken 1:50pm 1 Sep 2003
Picture taken 12:11pm 26 Feb 2012
Hannon Statue
The Hannon statue of Saint Serra is located in a small park across what used to be the parking lot from the Mission under a cross. It’s set back into a garden area making it hard to rub the toe for luck. [In 2003 parking was allowed directly in front of the Mission; in 2012 the parking area is off to the side of the Mission Church and the area in front of the Mission is clear.]
 Picture taken 12:34pm 26 Feb 2012 |
 Picture taken 12:35pm 26 Feb 2012 |