Mission Santa Clara de Asís Timeline by Yolanda Alvarez

The Ohlone People (1769)

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-20 07:47:05 UTC

Before the European settlers arrived, the south bay had many Native Americans, about 10,000 people from 40 tribes. One group, called Thamien, lived were Mission Santa Clara De Asis now stands. Today, the descendants of the land are known as the "Ohlone". The Ohlone people lived in settlements across the Valley of oaks, eating fish, venison, acorns, and berries. They made houses and boats from tule reeds and baskets of grass. Their religion included dances and sweat lodge rituals for hunting, and purification. Spanish colonization in 1769 brought big changes, shifting the Ohlone from hunting to farming, blending tribal identities, and adopting catholicism and spanish citizenship. The Franciscans attracted people to missions through trade and gifts, but once they joined, they couldn't leave. Harsh punishments such as withholding food, corporal punishments, and imprisonment were used to control them. Scarcity of Native food due spanish livestock led more people to the missions. Eventually the missions gained control of local food, so people were forced to learn new skills and adapt in order to survive.

The Flood (1779)

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-21 08:31:42 UTC

The big flood that affected Mission Santa Clara de Asis occurred in 1779, and it caused the major damage to the mission, including the destruction and abandonment of the adobe church. The floodwaters, which were unusually high due to heavy rains, swept away many structures. The original church was built around 1774-1777 and was particularly vulnerable to the floodwaters because of it's construction materials and location near the Guadalupe River. As a result the flood, the first church of Mission Santa Clara de Asis was destroyed which resulted in the construction of a new church in a different location within the mission's land. Its known as the second church of Mission Santa Clara de Asis, and it was built with better materials to withstand floods. Unfortunately the destruction of the church was seen as a loss of sacred space and a disruption of spiritual connection to the land for the indigenous communities who lived in this space. It disrupted community life, daily routines, and traditional customs, and causing challenges in practicing ceremonies and social gatherings. The flood caused efforts within the community to rebuild, relocate, and develop strategies and reduce future risks demonstrating Indigenous resilience and survival skills.

The Earthquake (1818)

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-22 01:00:16 UTC

In 1818, the 3rd church of Mission Santa Clara de Asis was shaken and damaged by big earthquakes. The earthquake severely damaged Mission Santa Clara de Asis, causing significant destruction to it's buildings and infrastructure. Many of the mission's adobe structures, including the church were heavily impacted. The earthquake forced led to the collapse of walls, roofs, and other parts of the mission's complex. After the earthquake bit European fathers Magin Catala and Jose Viader must have realized that the 34 year old complex would collapse eventually. So it was abandoned and the 4th church was built. In the indigenous perspective the earthquake may have been interpreted as a sign or message from the natural world or spiritual realm. Indigenous communities often had deep connections to their land and believed in the spiritual significance or natural phenomena. The earthquake was probably viewed as a disruption in the natural order or as a reflection of spiritual forces.

The Fire (1926)

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-22 02:39:52 UTC

On October 25, 1926, a fire started in the old Mission church at Mission Santa Clara de Asis due to faulty wiring. The fire quickly spread across the campus, burning many buildings beyond repair, including the Student memorial Chapel. A new chapel was hastily constructed in another building on the campus. During the cleanup of the aftermath of the fire, workers discovered partial human remains from old burial sites near the foundations of the destroyed memorial chapel. They found coffins with personal with personal items such as black hair, slipper sole, and a glove. One coffin had a sliver plate with the initials "D.P", believed to be the grave of Dolores Pacheco who died in 1850. Several skulls and bones were also found during the cleanup. The loss of and discovery of human remains during the aftermath of the fire can be seen as a tragic event, reflecting the ongoing loss of indigenous and cultural heritage considering this is the 4th loss of a church on the land and this viewpoint is due to colonialism and modern development. The disturbance of the burial sites is viewed as disrespectful and a violation of sacred places yet also highlighting the resilience of indigenous people in the face of challenges.

Mission Santa Clara de Asis (1928-2024)

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-22 03:32:19 UTC

Mission Santa Clara de Asis is located on the grounds of Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, U.S. The mission original location was near the Guadalupe River, but due to flooding it was abandoned and now is located in it's current location in the mid-19th century. Today the mission site includes the historic Mission church, which has been restored and persevered as a historic landmark. The church continues to serves as a place for worship for the university community and visitors. The mission grounds also the house other university buildings and facilities. The status of Mission Santa Clara de Asis is that of a historical and cultural site within the Santa Clara University campus. It is a symbol of the region's early Spanish colonial history and the enduring legacy of the California missions. From an indigenous perspective, Mission Santa Clara de Asis represents both historical significance and the negative impacts of colonization. It is a cultural landmark but also symbolizes forced labor, cultural assimilation, and the loss of traditional ways of life for indigenous communities.

Links to all resources and sites

malvarezyoli743 — 2024-03-22 03:35:21 UTC

https://www.scu.edu/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/community-heritage-lab/Skowronek_&_Wizorek_1997.pdf

https://dh.scu.edu/exhibits/exhibits/show/cemetery/1926-mission-fire

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=195448