2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Mission San Antonio De Pala

Mission San Antonio De Pala

Founded in 1816, Mission San Antonio De Pala, better known as Pala Mission, is the only Spanish mission remaining in California that is still doing the work that it was founded to do, including maintaining a mission school.

It was built as an "asistencia" to the main San Diego Mission, with the task of bringing Christianity to the Indians of inland San Diego. Built near an abundant source of water, the San Luis Rey River, it was called "Pala" because that’s the Luiseno word for water. It was one of the last missions founded by the Spanish. Shortly after it was built, Mexico revolted from Spain, taking California with it.

Much of the original adobe mission remains. The interior walls are decorated with native art. The unique bell tower, 50 feet high, is instantly recognizable, and, alone among California missions, is separate from the main mission building. Two bells hang from rawhide thongs. The tower is a replica of the Franciscan style tower, restored in 1916 after the original was destroyed by a rain storm.

In June of 2004 at the annual Corpus Christi fiesta, the parish unveiled a new $2 million meeting place that will be used to supplement the existing mission hall. Money for the hall came mainly from grants and local donations.

Pala’s pastor, Father Paul M. Marconi, who has been at the mission for eight years, conducts services for the residents of four area reservations as well as the Mexican and white population. That’s more than 3,500 parishioners in all. The mission is under the special care of the Barnabite Fathers.

Next to the mission is the Old Luiseno Cemetery, where hundreds of members of that tribe are buried, marked by simple wooden crosses.

Within the mission is a gift shop and museum that houses Indian artifacts, including a statue made in the 1800s, and some liturgical materials that are nearly two centuries old.

The mission is located just off Hwy 76, on on Pala Mission Road, in the Pala Reservation.

Hours of operation at the mission are daily, from early morning until 6 or 7 p.m. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m. –5 p.m.

Mission San Antonio de Pala

P.O. Box 70

Pala, CA 92059-0070

Phone: (760) 742-3317

Fax: (760) 742-3040