Mission La Purísima Concepción

2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
Tel: 805-733-3713
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Mission La Purisima was established on December 2, 1787, in the tribal territory of the Chumash, the eleventh of the California missions. It was originally located on the south side of the Santa Ynez River at the south end of J Street in the present town of Lompoc. It was built in typical quadrangle style, with the church forming one side of the complex. A great earthquake on December 12, 1812 destroyed most of the buildings. The original mission site is now a city park with interpretive signs and trails.

The mission was immediately relocated on the northern side of the Santa Ynez River and was rebuilt on a linear plan with massive buttresses to protect against another seismic disaster. The second site also prospered and was famous for its wool production. La Purisima was the administrative center of the California missions during the presidency of Fr. Mariano Payeras (1815-2823). For a time, it was occupied by Chumash neophytes rebelling against Mexican soldiers and declining economic conditions in 1824. The mission was secularized in 1834 and gradually abandoned.  

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps carefully and accurately reconstructed all of the main buildings at the second mission site. The area became a California State Historic Park and experienced further reconstructions and the development of a large garden of mission and native plants. La Purisima has restored rooms and miles of hiking and riding trails along which visitors may see its completely preserved water system and mission period animals. The park has a world-class docent program that presents various living history events pertaining to the period. Contact the park for a schedule of events.