Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, the "Pride of the Missions," was founded on September 8 (the "Birthday of Mary"), 1771 in present day Montebello by Padres Pedro Benito Cambón and Angel Fernández de la Somera. This fourth mission (named for the Archangel Gabriel) was situated in the First Military District, and was designed by Father Antonio Cruzado (who hailed from Córdoba, Spain, which accounts for the Mission's strong Moorish influence).

Historic designations

• National Register of Historic Places #NPS–71000158
• California Historical Landmark #158
• California Historical Landmark #161 — site of "Mission Vieja"
• Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Award (1994) — "Seismic retrofit and restoration of The oldest building in Los Angeles County"
• Daughters of the American Revolution (1968) — "The Oldest Building in Southern California of Brick, Stone and Mortar"