Founded by Fermin Lasuén on September 8, 1797.

17th Mission of California.

Named after king Fernando (Ferdinand) III of Castile (1199/1201-1252, aged 50–53), Birth year disputed.

The address of the Mission is: 15151 San Fernando Mission Boulevard, Mission Hills, CA 91345.
For information about the parish and visiting consult Mission San Fernando Rey official web site.

The Church: The 1971 Sylmar earthquake completely flattened the mission’s historic adobe church. The chapel had to be rebuilt from the ground up as a modern, earthquake-safe replica (1971–1974). Before the ruins of the old chapel were demolished, crews and priests salvaged many historical artifacts, some of which were made by the Tongva Indians. The salvaged fine art pieces were repaired, cleaned, and stored. They were returned to the new chapel upon its completion and dedication in 1974. Read about this amazing effort in: Restoration of the Adobe Church and original artwork.

The Altar: The restored church lacked an altar. A search led to an altar, which was purchased in Spain in year 1925 by an unnamed Pasadena collector, and shipped to Los Angeles in 523 separate pieces. This altar has quite a story to tell. (In that unique period of time wealthy Americans purchased numerous pieces of art in Europe, even entire buildings, and transported them to America.)

The altar comes from the Chapel of St. Philip Neri in Ezcaray, Spain. This beautiful walnut reredo (altarpiece) was carved in 1687. This collector held the altar in pieces until his death in the 1940s. The altar was than sold to a consortium of local investors, who in turn, donated it to the archdiocese to be used in a cathedral planned for Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Instead, it ended up in this Mission.

The altar was reassembled and installed in 1991, 17 years after the dedication of the new chapel(!). This LA Times article describes the complex process of its restoration. The effigy of King Fernando comes from the original 1979 Adobe church. It had to be restored from damages in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The effigy looks like an integral part of the Ezcaray altar, matching its style.

The Convento: On the side of the original "quadrangle" is the 2 level Convento, largest still existing Adobe building in California. Built between 1808 and 1822, features a colonnade of 21 Roman arches. Because it survived the 1971 quake, it still houses the authentic 18th- and 19th-century Spanish and Mexican artifacts. The exhibits include bishops quarter and a Madonna Room with an incredible collection of religious effigies, and even a wine cellar. A library room hosts a largest collection of ancient books in all of the Mission museums. (Note: The Convento was later heavily damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake but was successfully reinforced and restored yet again.)

This Mission and its Museum is a "must see" for every history buff.

Wikipedia page of Mission San Fernando Rey.