Mission Santa Cruz

Mission Santa Cruz was California's Twelfth

Mission Santa Cruz
144 School Street
Santa Cruz, CA

Founded September 25, 1791
by Father Fermin Lasuen
Named Mission Santa Cruz (Holy Cross)

See It Now: Photo Tour

Interesting Facts about Mission Santa Cruz

• Mission Santa Cruz was known as the "hard luck mission"
• This place has the only remaining example of Indian housing

Mission Santa Cruz Chronology

1791 - Father Lausen founds Mission Santa Cruz
1796 - 500 neophytes
1797 - Branciforte pueblo founded
1798 - 300 neophytes
1835 - Mission Santa Cruz secularized
1856 - Mission Santa Cruz buildings destroyed

More History

Getting to Mission Santa Cruz

Mission Santa Cruz is located north of downtown Santa Cruz. From California Highway 1, turn left onto Mission Street, left onto Emmett Street, and right on School Street. The rebuilt Mission Santa Cruz faces the plaza, and the adobe neophyte's quarters are in the state historic park on School Street.