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Tour of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa -- Joe Carotenuti

Join us for a lecture and a tour of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in downtown San Luis Obispo. The Mission was founded on September 1, 1772, and continues to serve as a parish church for the many Catholics in the area.

We will learn why establishing missions along the California coastline was important to the Spanish crown, the history of the mission period, and the effect the missions had upon the local Chumash population. Our instructor will also discuss the history of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, its unique architecture, the Missions bells, and the roles of significant church figures, including Father Junipero Serra.

The tour will include all of the major areas of the Mission complex, including the garden in which the three original mission bells are displayed. Particular attention will be paid to the paintings and statuary and their symbolism. We will also visit the extraordinary mission museum which contains an extensive collection of early photographs which presents a vivid picture of life in early California. We will end the tour in the bell tower at 11:45-55. The stairwell is very low and steep with no handicap access. There are about a dozen or so steps and the ceiling is quite low. Those who want to stay beyond the time can then see the ringing of the bells. It is quite loud but this is a rare opportunity so everyone can put their fingers in their ears!!

Joe Carotenuti is the City Historian/Archivist for the City of San Luis Obispo. He is a regular contributor to Journal Plus magazine and has written over 125 articles on local history.

Friday, October 21, 9:30am-11:45am Mission San Luis Obispo

If you would like to have the password for the member price for this course, go to www.lifelearnerscc.org for information on how you can become a member.