On July 1, 2023, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel reopened, three years after a fire devastated the mission church. The reopening featured a fully restored church, and a “reimagined” museum highlighting the impact of the mission on indigenous people.

The 2020 fire extensively damaged the mission church, destroying the roof and choir loft, and damaging the altar. The original tile floors were badly damaged by the heavy equipment used to fight the fire.

Fortunately, many historical artifacts, including the mission bell and other relics, were in storage due to renovations in progress at the time of the fire.

The fire was ultimately determined to be caused by arson. 59-year-old John David Corey to stand trial on two counts of arson of a structure and one count each of arson during a state of emergency and second-degree commercial burglary.

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771. It was the 4th of the 21 California missions.