Los Rios in San Juan Capistrano is the oldest community in California. I was in Old San Juan this morning to go to Mass at Serra Chapel, which is at Old Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The adobe chapel at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, now known as Serra Chapel, is the oldest building standing in California. The Mission Friars attempted to replace the small chapel at the end of the 18th century with a Great Church, which was the largest church in the Alta California chain of missions.

The Great Church took nine years to build. However, after its completion in 1806, an earthquake damaged it beyond repair after only six years of use. With the destruction of The Great Church in 1812, Father Serra’s Church became the Mission’s official place of worship.

Father Serra’s Church is still in use today for Mass on weekdays. The ruins of The Great Church still stand on the Mission grounds.