On the morning of July 11, 2020, a fire broke out at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. The San Gabriel Fire Department was called and dispatched at 4:24 AM.

When fire crews arrived on the scene, they found smoke and fire coming from the choir loft, and requested assistance from neighboring fire departments. Ultimately 80 firefighters and 30 pieces of equipment (including 15 engines) were involved in containing the fire, which was extinguished at 6:45 AM.

There were no injuries required. However, the mission suffered extensive damage. The roof and choir loft were destroyed, and the pulpit and altar were damaged.

The mission was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771 and is widely known as the “birthplace of Christianity in Los Angeles.”