As you enter the grounds of this mission there immediately appears to be a feeling of tranquility and quiet reverence for this mission has established a name for itself in history which will never die out. The accompanying map shows the general layout and we followed the numbers as listed and read the description on a wooden sign. There are hundreds of white doves flying all around the place and you may purchase food for the pigeons who will eat out of your hand. The swallows they have reference to have nests built into the ruins of the original church and each year when they return on March 19th start immediately to repair these. The original church was started in 1797 - dedicated 1806 and destroyed by an earthquake in 1812. The Sacred Garden they refer to are closed in by high thick walls and I imagine were used by the priests in their meditations. Sort of rough plain tile for the walks w/grass growing between. The Sales Rooms for Post cards - souvenirs etc were in process of being closed shortly after we got in there so didn't have enough time to select the things we would have liked. All these rooms of course are stone  high ceilings - and the Sales Girls sprinkle water on the tile floor to keep the place cool. The exhibit room showed many old pieces of furniture and was originally the Community Room where travelers were entertained. The Vestment Room shows the original old brocaded Vestments and other altar furnishings belonging to the original church. The current church that is still in use with the sanctuary light always burning to indicate that the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle. You can see by the colored prints the richness of the altar - the carved wood decorated statues. everything about this church is reverent and holy. I could almost imagine Mass being said here by the Spanish Priests and the Indians sitting in the pews. The choir loft seemed to be way