Continuing a long-standing association with CMF, the Brewster West Foundation recently awarded CMF a $25,000 grant for the Foundation's on-going efforts in helping mission preservation. The Brewster West Foundation has been an important CMF Preservation Partner for the past 11 years.

The Annual Report of the California Missions Foundation for 2013 is now available. To view the CMF Annual Report, please click on the link below or contact the CMF office at 805.963.1633 to have a copy mailed to you.

Following much anticipation, Old Mission Santa Barbara has a fresh new façade. During last year's retrofitting of the Mission's historic crypt below the altar rail, an emergency situation was discovered outside. Falling plaster and cement from the historic Mission's limestone façade posed a danger to parishioners below. Mission officials secured an emergency inclusion of necessary façade repairs into the SAT grant.

Evaluation revealed that the rebar reinforcements to the cornice and pediment had begun to rust, causing the corrosion of the façade. Those areas in which damage was most extensive were replaced. In order to repair the bell-tower domes flanking the Mission's façade, concrete reinforcement was used. In the process of reconstructive work done on the walls, workers noticed that the limestone had been cracked, so it was decided to extract, repair and reinstall the limestone, rather than merely re-pinning it.

In addition, the statue of Saint Barbara that overlooks the entrance to the Mission from a recess in the pediment had sustained age- and weather-related damage, and was in need of reinforcement and repair. Rusted eyebolts and a rusted turnbuckle anchoring the statue to the Mission's façade compromised its stability, and were in need of replacement. The final portion of this emergency project sought to repaint the façade with great attention given to the original coloring.

The restored Old Mission Santa Barbara façade was unveiled to the public earlier this year.

The next phase of the Mission's SAT Grant, set to begin in the fall of 2014, will be the resurfacing of the Convento Wing, where the original adobe walls have suffered extensive water damage.

The restored façade at Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Old Mission Santa Barbara Guardian Father Richard McManus makes a presentation to CMF Executive Director David A. Bolton recognizing the Foundation's work administering the on-going SAT Grant Program.

Franciscan Fathers Richard McManus, Charles Talley and Larry Gosselin blessed the restored Old Mission Santa Barbara façade during the dedication ceremony.

California Missions Foundation has opened its annual grant application window for both Missions and their related historical sites, as well as fourth grade schools wishing to participate in CMF's All Aboard the Bus Program.

Details regarding the application process and criteria can be found on the CMF web site, or by calling the CMF office at 805.963.1633.

The California Missions Foundation is pleased to offer a new way to show your support, by donating stock. When you donate stock to CMF you will not be responsible for paying taxes on said stock, however you will still receive full tax credit for the amount of the stock on the day you contribute. To donate please have your broker call UBS Financial Services at (201) 352-6300, with the following information:

Account Name: California Missions Foundation

DTCC Clearing Number: 0221

Account #: XN04920

As always please call Executive Director David A. Bolton at the CMF office with any questions at

(805) 963-1633.