MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
Five years after the San Simeon earthquake, Mission San Miguel Arcángel still struggles to pick up the pieces.
By John Mackey
December 2008

One glaring monument still stands as a sobering reminder of the terrible calamity that rocked this region on a chilly December morning back in 2003. Despite millions of dollars in public and private donations, the historic church of Mission San Miguel Arcángel remains closed to the public, surrounded by cyclone fences, scaffolding, and signs warning visitors of the dangers of unreinforced masonry. Instead of bidding welcome to visitors from around the country and the world, they warn: "Keep Out!" and "Hard Hats Only."

It's been five years since the devastating San Simeon earthquake rumbled over the Central Coast, leaving death and destruction in its wake. In subsequent years, buildings and lives have been rebuilt while the echoes of that traumatic day have receded into our collective memories. However, the task of rebuilding the mission is far from complete.  

The overriding factor in this slow progression toward restoration stems not from a lack of effort by the community of San Miguel, but rather, according to some, from a shortsighted and irrational Church vs. State argument that ultimately barred the use of any government funds to repair the damage of this priceless structure.  

Ignoring the worldwide historical and cultural significance of the building itself, and the priceless frescos adorning the interior (which date back to 1821), funding was refused due to the main sanctuary's use as a place of worship by the local Catholic parish. Undaunted by these obstacles, a coalition of dedicated community members, church constituents, and guardians of the mission's rich history have banded together with private organizations such as the Getty Foundation to save the glorious monument for future generations to enjoy.  

Thus, on a recent warm, Indian summer day, some of the leaders of this critical crusade gathered on the mission grounds to discuss the progress and the challenges of this worthy, and yes, even holy task of saving an inimitable piece of antiquity classified by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the country's 11 most endangered historic places.

Pamela Huckins, a historian of art & architecture of early California, is currently in the process of preparing the Historic Structures Report on the mission for the National Parks Service. She shared her thoughts on the historical significance of the original artwork of the mission church and the tendency of other California missions over the years to divert from natural restoration to a more commercially viable ornamentation: "There are the interests of the art historian as well as the local parishioners, who have generations of sweat and tears in this building, who want the mission to be as authentic as possible. But conflicting factors have influenced other California missions--such as their need to make money and attract parishioners who will worship there, get married, or have funerals there because it's a pretty church," she laments. "This conflict over commercial versus authentic restoration has led to decisions not based on what was, but through the prism of modern interpretations of beauty."

However, since Mission San Miguel stands as the last remaining representation of the original California mission archetype, authenticity in retrofitting is crucial. As Huckins explains, "Architecturally, this mission reflects the minimalism of the Franciscan sensibility and the realities of construction in a remote location with limited building supplies." She further notes that, in spite of the years of wear and tear and the quake's damage, the structure's physical integrity is in rare form. "Photographs of the building taken during the late nineteenth century illustrate that large portions of the exterior plaster were missing, but that the walls and roof remained intact. While the exterior walls have been re-plastered and whitewashed several times, the interior decoration has not been altered since it was completed in 1821."

It is this fragile panorama of original artwork, untouched by modern hands, which Huckins says is a "singular extant" example of mission-era decoration, and which is the true historic treasure of the mission. "Conceived by Spanish Colonial artist Estevan Munrás," Huckins says, "Native Salinan artisans carried out the painting of the frescos. The decoration was likely supervised by a friar, another Spaniard, or Munrás (although he was reported to have left San Miguel by the time they were painted). And thus, the decoration is a unique synthesis of European motifs largely realized by Indian hands." Standing inside the condemned and closed off church, amid this irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind window into the aesthetics of the mission era, it becomes clear just how much is at stake in the fight to preserve Mission San Miguel Arcángel.

Leading that crusade is John Fowler, Project Manager of the nonprofit Friends of the Mission, who resolutely continues the struggle to raise money for the restoration and preservation of the church's original artwork, and for the retrofitting and repairs necessary to open the mission to the public. According to Fowler, Friends has gotten a substantial amount of money from the insurance settlement and the fundraising that's been done locally, giving them the ability to start the work. But, he explains, they don't have enough money to finish the project.

"We're going to go forward in faith that the money will stay out ahead of us," says Fowler, who hopes that people will see that they're working on the mission and realize that funds are still much needed. "We're probably going to have to raise over twomillion dollars to complete the project."

Helping with the fundraising is the Getty Foundation, which has been involved for some time now, underwriting a $75,000 study grant and also a $20,000 engineering grant with which Fowler's team is working right now. Fowler can only hope the aid and partnership will continue. "Whether the money will come I couldn't answer today, but what I can tell you is we are going to get it done," he exclaims with a tired but tenacious smile.

Another staunch supporter, William "Brother Bill" Short, former president of the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, has been guardian of the San Miguel Mission for over 10 years. He is the leader of the order of Franciscan Friars who have had a continuous presence at the mission since 1928. Leading us through the ancient doors of the church, Brother Bill passed out hard-hats--their garish orange forms clashing with his traditional vestments while also serving as a striking reminder of the contemporary responsibilities that come with his age-old vows to Saint Francis.

"We just finished a very thorough analysis of the artwork to make sure none of it will be harmed by the repairs," the friar said as he scanned the delicately adorned walls. "Once the scaffolding is up, we will start the actual retrofit, the strengthening of the church with the installation of a diaphragm in the ceiling that makes it more secure in the event of another earthquake." As we turned to exit, the friar removed his hard hat, and with a look of quiet resolve, said, "Our intention is to put the church back in use the way it was before that terrible morning of December 22, 2003." With the help of continued donations to Friends of Mission San Miguel , and a little bit of divine intervention, that joyous day is hopefully near--when the signs of "Danger" and "Keep Out!" are replaced by those declaring "Mission Accomplished" and "Welcome Home."  

See how you can help at www.missionsanmiguel.org.

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