Miguel Joseph Serra who later became Fr. Junipero Serra was born in 1713 in Petra, located on the island of Majorca, Spain.

When the Spanish Crown decided to colonize Alta (Upper) California, Fr. Serra was selected to lead the missionary effort of teaching Christianity to the Native Americans there. Missions were established for this purpose.

Fr. Serra founded 9 of the 21 Upper California Missions, the first being in San Diego in 1769. He was 55 years old at that time.

One of the above 9 missions was Mission San Juan Capistrano established in 1776 and known as the “Jewel “of the Missions. Here there is Serra Chapel where Fr. Serra celebrated mass. It is also the only Mission church named for Fr. Serra. The structure is also believed to be the oldest church still standing in California.

Fr. Serra died in 1784 at Mission San Carlos Borromeo and is buried there.

Recognized as “The Father of the California Missions” a bronze statue of Fr. Serra has been placed in the Statuary Hall of our Nation’s Capitol.