The layout of the missions varied, depending on the physical features of the mission site, the needs of the mission, and the material available. However, most of the missions had a similar layout.
The heart of the mission was a central courtyard, or garden, enclosed by the mission church and other important structures. These rooms would include:
- Living quarters for the padré and friars.
- Living quarters for neophytes (native people who had joined the church).
- Guest quarters for mission visitors.
- Workshops for carpentry, weaving, or candle making.
- Store rooms for food and other necessary supplies.
- A kitchen or cooking area.
Most rooms had doors opening onto the central courtyard, or connected directly to one another; there was no need for “hallways.”
There was often a separate plaza, or open area, in front of the missions. These plazas were used for gatherings and celebrations, and many eventually became the “town square” as settlements grew up around the missions.
As the mission grew, more buildings would be added. These additional buildings might include:
- Quarters for neophytes. There were often separate buildings for single men, single women, and families.
- Quarters for soldados (soldiers).
- Additional workshops which were needed as the mission enterprises grew. Tanneries were usually located some distances away from the mission due to the odors. Kilns for pottery and forges for blacksmith work would also be located in separate buildings to reduce the risk of fire to the mission.
- Grape presses and storage for wine.
- Additional storage buildings for grain and other crops.
- Laundry facilities.
- Classrooms and even music rooms.
Some of the largest missions eventually had dozens of buildings. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, often considered the largest mission, had 50-60 buildings. Mission San Juan Capistrano had 40-50 buildings, including the great stone church, while Mission Santa Barbara had 30-40 buildings.
Buildings were usually constructed from adobe, with thatch or tile roofs, though in same cases stone was used.
Each mission would also have a cemetery, gardens, and corrals for livestock. The mission grounds might cover 10-20 acres.
In addition to the mission grounds, the missions controlled large areas of land for agriculture, livestock, and settlements. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, and Mission San Antonio de Padua each controlled about a million acres of land!
