In the 19th century, San Diego de Alcala was moved from its original location to its present site, where water was more readily available. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
Many of California’s 21 missions still function as houses of worship.
It’s standing room only inside Mission San Diego de Alcala as choristers and musicians treat guests to carols by candlelight each December. The San Diego tradition is marking its 40th anniversary in 2016. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
California’s first mission, San Diego de Alcala, welcomes guests each December to its Christmas celebrations. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
Old Mission Santa Barbara is known as the “Queen of the Missions.” (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
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An old, rusting sign, erected by the Auto Club of Southern California, lists the distances from Old Mission Santa Barbara to other missions along the historic El Camino Real, the Royal Road. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
Giant wreaths and Christmas trees adorn the exterior of Old Mission Santa Barbara during the Advent season. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
A simple wooden cross stands in front of Mission San Juan Bautista. The church may be familiar to movie fans, as it played a role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
A statue of Father Junipero Serra stands outside Mission Santa Barbara. Beside it is an old auto club sign, complete with a replica of a mission bell. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
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The Native Americans who built Mission San Juan Bautista are remembered with this statue outside the church. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
The Mission San Juan Bautista is next to the infamous San Andreas Fault (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
Ruben Mendoza, an archaeologist and university professor, has been researching the solstice phenomena at Mission San Juan Bautista, pictured, and other missions for more than 15 years. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
Siblings Aallyson and Dominic Gutierrez kneel as they portray Mary and Joseph during a 2015 Las Posadas ceremony at Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, Calif. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
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A faithful congregant at Mission San Buenaventura drops to his knees in prayer during a retelling of Mary and Joseph’s search for a welcoming innkeeper. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
A tapestry depicting Father Junipero Serra, founder of several of California’s 21 missions, hangs inside Mission San Buenaventura. Serra became a saint in 2015. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune)
