Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores): San Francisco's Oldest Building and Only Unsecularized Mission

Mission San Francisco de Asís, commonly called **Mission Dolores**, founded June 29, 1776, by Fray Francisco Palóu under Fr. Junípero Serra, is the 6th of 21 Alta California missions—and the only one with a truly unique set of distinctions.

What Makes It Special

• Oldest Intact Building in San Francisco: The adobe chapel (1791) survived the 1906 earthquake/fire that destroyed 80% of the city. Original redwood roof beams, reredos, and Native-painted decorations remain.
• Only Mission in SF: The city grew around it; the mission cemetery holds 5,000+ Ohlone, Miwok, and early settlers.
• Only Mission Dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi: Namesake of the city and the Franciscan Order.
• Only Alta California Mission Founded by Spanish Franciscans (not Mexican): All others after 1821 were under Mexican Franciscans.
• Never Secularized: Mexican Secularization Act (1833) applied to all missions—*except* San Francisco de Asís and San Antonio de Pala (asistencia). It remained under continuous Catholic operation.
• On-Site Museum: Displays Ohlone artifacts, mission-era art, archival records, and the original 1796 baptismal register.
• Active Parish & Basilica: Minor basilica (1952); daily Mass in the historic chapel; vibrant multicultural congregation.
• Top Tourist Draw: 200,000+ visitors/year in the heart of the Mission District.

Historical Context

Founded 5 days before the Declaration of Independence reached California. The mission's neophytes (Ohlone, Miwok, Patwin) built the complex; their labor, skills, and suffering are central to its story. The adjacent Mission Dolores Basilica (1918) serves the modern parish.

Mission Dolores is a living link to California's colonial past—architecturally, spiritually, and communally.