Mission San Antonio de Pala, founded by Father Antonio Peyri OFM on June 13th, 1816, is the only one of the original Spanish California Missions to survive in its purpose of service to Native Americans.

The Mission at Pala was built as an 'asistencia' to the larger Mission San Luis Rey - west of Pala. The location of 'Pala' was ideal: there was water (Pala in Native American means 'water'); the soil was good, and there was a large Native American population. By 1816 Mission San Luis Rey had grown so much that Fr. Antonio Peyri established a chapel, which he dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua.

From 1948 to 1991 the Pala Mission was entrusted to the Comboni Fathers who in 1954 began an ambitious rebuilding program, with little money but much cooperation from the local parishioners and friends of the Mission. The effort received considerable publicity and attracted the help of individuals and groups from throughout Southern California, and by April of 1959, the structure was completed as it stands today.

In May of 1991, the administration of the Mission was returned to the Diocese of San Diego. Then in June of 1993 the Franciscan Friars, OFM Conv. and the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia accepted the pastoral care of this very special Mission.

As of June 1996 the Barnabite Fathers are in charge of the Pala Mission.

Mission San Antonio de Pala offers many unique Tourist Attractions. The original simple structure is a fine example of Mission Architecture. The long chapel, which displays Native American paintings on its walls and the original floor, offers the visitor a prayerful and reflective atmosphere.

The bell tower, modeled after one in Juarez, Mexico, differs from all others in the 21 California Mission Chain in that it stands apart from the main structure.

The old cemetery, the Mission Courtyard garden, and shrines have the strong appeal of peace and meditation and are reminiscent of the past.

The Mission Gift Shop and Museum, housed in the original west wing of the Mission complex, has a rich display of Native American artifacts, old statues, and other important relics of the Pala Mission as well as of the entire Mission period.

For the past nine years the Barnabite Fathers
have been entrusted by the Diocese of San Diego
with the pastoral care of Mission San Antonio de
Pala. As of July 2005 the Diocese of San Diego
has taken back the administration and pastoral
care of the Mission.
We are grateful to Fr. Paul M. Marconi for
providing enlightened leadership and compasionate
care to the Mission over these past nine years.