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Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Rating Details »
Categories: Churches, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
Neighborhood: Granada Hills15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd
Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 361-0186
6 reviews for Mission San Fernando Rey de España
MSFRdE, or "Rey" for short, was the sight of many childhood visits for me. In my visits, there were many cool things about the place: the gardens, the history, etc. My three most favorite parts were the convento chapel, the wine cellar, and the campesantos. Ten year old me would have given Rey 5 stars in a heartbeat.
My visit today jacked the scale significantly to a reluctant 2.99 stars. Why? for one thing, there were cigarette butts on the ground in a few obvious places, plus overflowing ash trays. What the hell is that at a church??? Second, and more important, my three favorite things about Rey have been changed. The wine cellar was locked up tight, the chapel got knocked over in the earthquake of 94 (read: I am not blaming the mission for the earthquake) and was replaced by a really cheesy "teatro" with a big screen TV at one end, and the burial ground, the coolest part of the tour, has been transformed into: The Bob Hope Memorial garden.
Now look, I've got nothing against Bob Hope; dude was funny. BUT I WANT MY BURIAL GROUND BACK! I want my brooding statue of Junipero Serra! I want tiny child Indian graves and uneven walkways!
We are left instead with a (OK, OK, it's lovely, but maaaaaan....) nicely groomed pathway leading to the Bob Hope mausoleum.
I think that my letdown affected the remainder of my visit. Everything was just as maintained as it ever was (a bit too well maintained, as gardeners, trash cans, cleaning carts, etc. blocked some lovely photo ops), and the mission is, overall well preserved and presented.
But I wanted my four bucks back at the end of the tour. I am so bummed. Give me back my mission!
I have reviewed the gift shop at Rey separately and it doesn't reflect in this score.
This was our second stop of the day for the daughter and I. Place was really kept up, and very beautiful. A place like this you can spend all day here and just relax. Just like the other missions, This is a great place to bring your kids.
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ROTTEN. This is one of the places that shames me as a Catholic. If you are coming to this place to pray find another Catholic church in the area. The mission grounds is beautiful and the church building itself is well preserved but the people working in the gift shop, shameful.
First there is a sign saying that a donation is accepted. I don't know why they call it a donation because they require people to pay for entry. I've never seen a church that requires people to pay to pray. Oh, if you don't want to pay they give you 5 minutes ... go ahead and try finishing your rosary in 5 minutes.
You have to go through the gift shop and that is where the rude walking burrito with attitude is. I have been a Catholic all my life and I have been to the Vatican and never have I been required to pay or have been treated like crap to enter a church building. I guess there is always a first time.
This place is for tourist. They give priorities to people who pay and walks around the church like it is a museum. Sadly, the tabernacle candle is lit and if you are Catholic you know what that means. The people walking inside the church is not even aware of His presence.
The place is beautiful and decorated in gold, but it is surely rotting inside. I did confront the walking burrito, and since we were not getting anywhere I just decided to leave. Oh, and yes ... she kept taunting me by shouting God bless you, God bless you sarcastically on my way out of the gift shop.
Come to this place as a tourist because this is not a place to pray. As a matter of fact, if Jesus come to this place he would be amazed that the vendors he threw out of church property in his days are now in control of the entry to the church in this day and age.
Like Wes, I definitely remembered, and loved the peacocks roaming the grounds. Beautiful mission, with awesome mosaics made of tile, sweeping green spaces, and an all encompassing feel of peace and tranquility in a structure remarkably dissonant with the overall SF Valley culture around it.
Beautiful, reflective spot, and well worth the look if you've got time. :)
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This mission brings both emotions of joy and sadness every time I come here. This was after all, where we had masses to commemorate my grandmother and uncle's death and also the same place where my cousin and her husband said their nuptials.
First time here was back in 1995 when my uncle passed away because of a heart attack. The mission is really old school Catholic with the altar in front of the church, with statues of saints and Jesus done beautifully in wood. At that time, there were peacocks roaming the grounds and they didn't have the Bob Hope fountain installed yet.
Well, my second visit, was in December '06 when my grandmother passed away. It's never easy to see your aunts and uncles in tears growing up always seeing them as strong as they were, just broken down like they were. It's never easy to see a loved one go.
Third visit was in April of '07 when my cousin and her BF of so many years finally tied the knot. Of course it was a joyous day, but you still can't help but feel the sadness because of the previous visits here. As in life in general, though, even with two deaths, this marriage meant new life for a young couple.
The Bob Hope fountain is just outside of the church, and the peacocks are no longer roaming the grounds. I do know for sure, this place will always have a place in my heart because of what has transpired. I love you Lolie and Uncle Max. You will never be forgotten.
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Mission San Fernando is the photographer's favorite place..!! There are many spots available for wedding photography. The front entrance area, hallways, fountain, arches, stairways, the lawn and basically every corner can become beautiful and historical backdrops for the B&G, the Family and the Groomsmen & Bridesmaids portraits. Because of its popularity, there are 4-5 weddings on one saturdays and during the weekdays, people visit here to have engagement and quinceanera photo sessions. I personally like this place but don't bring any couples for engagement photo sessions here unless the couple requests. The parking is great and there's no entrance fee. Please look at the photos I posted and hope you find them useful~
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