New San Juan Capistrano Mayor Derek Reeves performed the ribbon-cutting honors, and other dignitaries were on hand as well, including Mission San Juan Capistrano Monsignor J. Michael McKiernan, Monsignor Arthur Holquin, Pastor & Rector Emeritus Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.
Including Mayor Reeves, representing the city were new city council member and Mission docent Kerry Ferguson and city manager Karen Brust. Ferguson also presented a certificate on behalf of the city.
The project, which took about four weeks, included rehabilitating the walkway by removing stairs as part of its effort to be more accessible. A second phase of the project will commence next year. The original stairs, walkway and pergola construction dated to 1950.
Cost of the project was approximately $80,000 and was privately funded by donors.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visitwww.missionsjc.com.
