Church Interior
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Church Interior |
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The interior of Mission San Rafael is more modern than Mission-era style. If you did not know this was a Mission you would think it was just a simple parish church upon entering. The picture here is from the back of the church looking at the altar.
Picture taken
12:10pm 29 Aug 2003
 Picture taken 12:10pm 29 Aug 2003 |
The altar is interesting of itself and the fairly modern-looking statue of the Angel Saint Rafael is a highlight of the altar. |  Picture taken 12:10pm 29 Aug 2003 |
Unique among the missions are the Stations of the Cross in this church. Unlike most missions which have very dark oil paintings, they are three-dimensional carvings of the fourteen Stations of the type shown here in this picture of Station VII: Jesus Falls for the Second Time.
Picture taken
12:10pm 29
Aug 2003
The California landmark sign for this Mission is not at the Mission itself but, instead, along U.S. 101 at the Northeast corner of Merrydale and Southbound 101 at the San Pedro Road offramp. It was placed there during the days when landmarks were placed along the road to aid travelers. While decades ago, a Mission San Rafael pastor asked that the sign be moved, that continues to be a background State Government task.
Photo courtesy of Donald Laird http://www.sonic.net/~laird/landmarks/counties/200-299/220.html
...and it reads...
San Rafael Arcángel Mission
One and a half miles southwest was the San Rafael Arcángel Mission, established in 1817 by the Franciscans. This was the twenteth in the chain of 21 California Missions. After the "Decress of Secularization" in 1834, the buildings gradually fell into ruin. Reconstruction of the Mission on the original site took place in 1949.
State Registered Landmark No. 220
That's the end of the tour. Thank you. Please visit the other missions.
For a Flash video of this Mission and other resources see The California Mission Resource Center site.
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