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Between 1846 and 1862 the U.S. Calvary occupied the mission. Much repair work need to be accomplished during its occupation, for the mission had fallen into disrepair. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln returned the Mission and its surrounding lands to the church.

During the 1976 Bicentennial year, Pope Paul VI named the Mission church a minor basilica. Today the church is not only a tourist attraction, an active parish for the Catholic community, but also a cultural center for people of all faiths.

To tour this magnificient building click on any of the active links above. Be sure you click the Mission Ruin links at the top of the page. These links are to rare photographs of the mission very early in the 20th Century.