It was 237 years ago today that Father Junipero Serra founded Mission San Juan Capistrano.
But if you're doing math, the story actually begins one year earlier, in 1775, according to the Mission's website.
"Our story begins in 1775, when Mission San Juan Capistrano was first founded by Father Lasuen, on Oct. 19. Weeks later, the founding party left San Juan Capistrano to help their colleagues in San Diego after receiving word of a revolt occurring there.
"Once things had settled in San Diego, Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest over 50 years old when he traveled from New Spain (now Mexico) to Alta California, personally led a party to re-found Mission San Juan Capistrano on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1776."
It was the seventh of 21 missions to be founded in California.
A special bell-ringing ceremony will be at noon today.
We say, happy birthday!
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