MISSION

The Mission was founded on September 17, 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis. It was named in honor of Saint Agnes, an early Christian martyr of the fourth century. The Spanish for Agnes is Inés, hence the name of the church. The American Yankee settlers anglicized the spelling of the Spanish pronunciation of Inés and named an adjoining town Santa Ynez... Old Mission Santa Inés is the nineteenth of the twenty-one California Missions established by Franciscan priests from 1769 to 1823. Since its founding, Old Mission Santa Inés has experienced many changes - sometimes tumultuous ones. Old Mission Santa Inés remains rich in tradition, legend, and history... Founded in 1804, we are one of the original 21 California Missions established by Franciscans along the Pacific Coast.