Mission Santa Inez, California

Just outside of Solvang, California, is Mission Santa Inez, named after Saint Agnes. Father Estevan Tapis founded it on September 17, 1804, the nineteenth mission of the twenty-one mission of the Camino Real. The church, like other nearby missions, was ruined in the 1812 earthquake and had to be rebuilt. The mission continued as a parish during secularization by the Mexican government in the 1830s, though the building fell into disrepair over the years. In 1904, restoration work began. When we visited, it was still being refurbished over 120 years later!

Mission Santa Inez exterior

The mission has the typical museum with models showing the mission's layout in the past.

Looks like the current church

More elaborate model

The museum has a map of the Spanish Empire circa 1800. It seems a bit exaggerated to me, e.g. the division of South America with Portugal. Even so, they did have a global empire (I bet the sun never set on the Spanish flag too!).

Spanish possessions

One of the original bells is on display, having seen better days.

Mission bell

The Chumash were the local native tribe. Their influence is shown with some of their art and creations on display in the museum.

Some native works

A lot of the liturgical items are also on display. 

Hymnals and things

Statues and other items

Monstrance and other items used at the altar

We saw the chest below and assumed it was some sort of coffin. Turns out, it was a vestments chest. The missions did not have closets, so liturgical vestments were stored in drawers or chests. The vestments below include one that was worn by Saint Junipero Serra (so a third-class relic!). 

Vestment chest

Some samples of vestments through the years

A vestment used by Fr. Serra

The interior courtyard has the typical fountain.

A standard decoration

The main church is still being restored so we could only view the inside from a small area.

250th Anniversary entrance

Sanctuary

Nave looking back from the altar

Our Lady of the Rosary statue

Back out in the garden, I discovered the most important statue at the mission.

Shrine to Saint Joseph

Patron of the blogger, not the mission

Fr. Serra, patron of the missions in general

The ticket seller told us a wedding was happening soon and we saw the set-up toward the back of the courtyard.

Outdoor wedding ready to go

Yes, that priest is wearing a cowboy hat!

View from the parking lot