Founding

The Mission was Founded on August 28, 1791, by Father Fermín Lasuen,

The mission flooded the first winter and Father Lasuen had to relocate to higher ground,

The Santa Cruz Mission was the 12th in the mission chain,

Mission Santa Cruz was established as a link between Mission Camel and Mission Santa Clara,

The mission was built on the banks of the San Lorenzo river which flows into Monterey Bay.

Father Fermin Lausun