Mission San Buenaventura

California · United States · Church

The person who wrote this account is careful to say it is not really a haunting. Walking towards the altar, the sense of presence is far beyond the usual.

The account from this mission at Ventura, California opens by saying it is not exactly what anyone would call a proper haunting, which is a rare piece of care in this archive and the reason it is kept.

Taking the tour and entering the sanctuary, walking down towards the altar at the front, visitors describe a sense of presence far stronger than the ordinary atmosphere of a church.

Leaving through the side door produces the rest of the account.

San Buenaventura was founded in 1782, the last mission established by Junípero Serra, and it is still an active parish. The mission system was built with Chumash labour, and the Chumash people of this coast were brought into it under conditions that devastated their communities. Thousands are buried in mission ground across California.

Whatever is felt in that sanctuary is felt in a building with that history in it.

The church is open and is used for worship.

FAQ

Where is Mission San Buenaventura located?

Mission San Buenaventura is in California, United States.

Image: Ymblanter / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons