Santa Ysabel Mission

Santa Ysabel Mission is part of Mission San Diego de Alcala. As a sub-mission, Santa Ysabel was established in 1818 as a way for people in Julian, California to feel comfortable and seek religious teachings. At the time it was hard for some individuals to travel all the way to San Diego. The original building no longer exists, as it was replaced in 1924. The current Santa Ysabel Chapel was dedicated nearer the old adobe site.

The outside of the chapel is white adobe with red tile roof. It is certainly Spanish architecture, as one would expect for the period it was built in. Inside the chapel it is more modern than the original Mission Church with wood planking, pews, and statues. As part of the site, there is a historical museum dedicated to the history of Santa Ysabel Mission. Inside the museum are several artifacts including the original church bells. Between the church and museum is a statue called the Angel of the Lost Bells. It is a modern construction, with its arms outspread like an x and a face between the top two arms.

Padre Fernando Martin blessed the original mission, helping to erect the temporary structure that was replaced in 1819.