Why Was the San Fernando Mission Built?
The San Fernando Rey de Espana was a mission founded in California. Part of the Spanish mission system, San Fernando played an important role in the region. This role extended beyond its obvious religious function to aiding in the development of the nearby city of Los Angeles and the growth of the West Coast in general. One of many missions, San Fernando’s importance was short-lived but still significant. When Spain came to the New World, it did so with a two-fold purpose. First and foremost, it sought wealth for the empire. Second, but of more lasting importance, as a Catholic nation, Spain took the opportunity to convert the non-Christian populace. This led to the mission system throughout the New World, where religious missions were established to convert the local native tribes to Christianity. These were run primarily by either the Jesuits or the Franciscans, both religious orders. By the time settlement began in California in the mid 1700s, this system had already been well estab
