Mission’s Bell Wall Project Is Underway

A six-month, $465,000 project has begun to preserve Mission San Juan Capistrano’s sagging “campanario,” or bell wall.

“It would cost much less to tear down the wall and rebuild it from scratch, but that wouldn’t leave us with the authentic campanario,” said Jerry Miller, mission administrator.

The money will come from private donations and fund-raisers, such as the current “Music Under the Stars” concert series.

The campanario dates back to 1813, when it was built to hold the mission bells after the collapse of the mission’s Great Stone Church.

Back then, it served as a clock of sorts, calling residents to work, meals and prayer.

The work will include pouring a cement foundation, filling in holes and cracks and repairing its four bells.

This preservation effort begins as a $6-million project to preserve the ruins of the Great Stone Church is underway.

That project began in 1997 to do internal strengthening and exterior cosmetic repairs to the church.