Photos: Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)

Mission San Francisco de Asís, often called Mission Dolores, was founded June 29, 1776. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 3, 2014 12:15 PM PT

The National Park Service calls this the oldest intact building in San Francisco. Above the adobe walls, the church ceiling is decorated with traditional Indian designs using vegetable dyes. Outside in the mission cemetery, about 5,700 Ohlone, Miwok and other early Californians are buried.

San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores), sixth mission, 1776

Franciscan monks spend a day at the Mission Dolores in 1925. (California News Service / Los Angeles Times Library)

A historical photo of the Parrish Rectory Seminary Inn circa 1860. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A diaorama of how Mission Dolores would have looked in the 1800s. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

An illustration of Indians at the mission, 1816. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A view of Mission Dolores, considered the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The altar at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A floor to ceiling mural decorates the altar at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Mission Dolores, which is in central San Francisco, is a state historical landmark. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The tombstone of Don Francisco de Haro, first alcalde (traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had judicial and administrative functions) of San Francisco. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A statue of Fray Junípero Serra, founder of the California missions, in the graveyard at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The tombstone of Don Luis Antonio Argüello, first governor of San Francisco. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The entrance to the museum at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Local elementary schoolchildren get a tour of the museum at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The traditional dress of a friar on display at Mission Dolores. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A statue of a friar during a baby’s baptism. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Artifacts for the altar that would be used during a Catholic service. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Travel & Experiences

Photos: Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)

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