Junípero Serra

Junípero Serra, O.F.M., (/dʒuːnɨˈpɛroʊ ˈsɛrə/; Spanish: [xuˈnipeɾo ˈsera]), known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue, (Catalan: [ʒuˈnipər ˈsɛrə]) (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California. Fr. Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988. Serra is best known for establishing the chain of Roman Catholic Franciscan missions in California, stretching from San Diego to San Francisco. He began the 1st one in San Diego and 1770, and established his headquarters in Monterey at Mission San Carlos. They were primarily designed to convert the Indians, and develop self-sufficient landed enterprises. The architectural design continues to be a major influence on California architecture. Serra not only dealt with church officials, but also with Spanish officials in Mexico City, to deal with his frequent controversies with the military officers who commanded the nearby garrisons. He brought to California the European products that eventually became central to the state's agriculture empire: oranges, lemons, olives, figs, grapes, and vegetables, as well as cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. However he was not eager to see Spanish settlers move to California; therefore he made no effort to develop export crops that would have built up the economy and attracted settlers. The treatment of the Indians at the missions has been controversial, for they were under tight controls, were given corporal punishment (beatings) and were not allowed to leave.

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