Junípero Serra (1713-1784) Founder of California
Junípero Serra (1713-1784) Founder of California Biography of Junípero Serra The Founding of San Francisco, by Edward F. O’Day Founding of the Mission Dolores Missions of the Spanish Era had Wide Influence, by F. Gordon O’Neill “Ranch and Mission Days in Alta California,” By Guadalupe Vallejo Bells of the Mission Dolores Basilica (in RealAudio) Father Serra's biography from The Catholic Encyclopedia. Junípero Serra, the founder of the Missions, which were the first settlements of civilized man in California, was born on the island of Majorca, part of the kingdom of Spain, on the 24th of November, 1713. At the age of sixteen, he became a Monk of the order of St. Francis, and the new name of Junípero was then substituted for his baptismal name of Miguel José. After entering the convent, he went through a collegiate course of study, and before he had received the degree of Doctor, was appointed lecturer upon philosophy. He became a noted preacher, and was frequently invited ...
