Santa Barbara mission, California

Prior to the Spanish arrival, the Chumash inhabited the area from Malibu to San Luis Obispo. Chumash leaders such as Chief Yanonali became Christians, leading many villagers to join them.
Then, a mission was established on the Feast of Santa Barbara, Dec 4, 1786 by Padre Junipero Serra. The Santa Barbara mission was the 10th mission founded in California by Spanish Franciscans.
The original buildings were simple and unpretentious. As the years passed, there was progress and development. There were three adobe churches here, each larger than the other, before the present church. The third one was destroyed by earthquake in 1812.
The Franciscans introduced agriculture to the Indians. The principal products of the field were wheat, barley, corn, beans, and peas. Orange and olive trees were planted and vines were cultivated.
In 1865 the Mission was returned to the Catholic Church by Abraham Lincoln (California having become part of the U.S. in 1848).
Nowadays, the mission is still in use as a church, but you can visit it.