1. Founded In 1776 By Father Junipero Serra , It Is Considered The Jewel Of The California Missions.

2. Junipero Serra was responsible for building nine of the missions. One of these was Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo in the present city of Carmel.

3. However, other experts say that Junipero Serra demanded that the priests and soldiers treat the Native Americans with respect.

4. In seventeen eighty-four, Junipero Serra died of tuberculosis at mission San Carlos.

5. Junipero Serra was born in seventeen thirteen on the island of Mallorca, Spain. After he became a Franciscan priest, he taught at a university in Mallorca.

6. One story says the birds have been late only once because of a storm at sea. Everyone agrees that Junipero Serra would have loved the beautiful swallows of Capistrano.

7. A religious group within the Catholic Church called the Franciscans would build the settlements. The Franciscans chose a young priest named Junipero Serra to begin the work.

8. STEVE EMBER: Many history experts say the Spanish government and the Catholic Church could not have chosen a better person for the task than Junipero Serra.