By Richard Senate –
The first thing many notice when looking at Mission San Buenaventura is the large stone buttress that dominates the front of the church. It’s one of several that reinforce the old adobe structure. Unlike many of California’s missions, this church is largely original and has not been replaced or significantly rebuilt over the years.
This prominent buttress traces its roots back to the great earthquake and tidal wave of December 21, 1812 — a tragic and unforgettable time remembered by the Chumash people as the year of the earthquakes.
It all began on December 8, 1812, when a massive quake struck the southern California missions, centered along the San Andreas Fault. It completely destroyed the stone church at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The earthquake struck during morning mass, causing the heavy stone roof and walls to collapse on worshippers inside. The Padres believed it was a miracle that only forty-two people died in the disaster. Though the tremor was felt in Ventura, it caused no immediate damage. Other missions — and the growing settlement of Los Angeles — were also affected. When word of the tragedy reached Ventura, a caravan of ox carts and volunteers was sent to assist at San Juan Capistrano.
People were still reeling from the first earthquake when, on the morning of December 21, another powerful quake struck — this time much closer to home.
Fortunately, this second quake was preceded by a smaller tremor about fifteen minutes earlier. That warning jolt allowed many to flee their homes and buildings before the larger quake hit, causing widespread destruction. At Mission San Buenaventura, the front of the church collapsed into the street, but miraculously, no lives were lost (though fatalities were reported in Santa Barbara).
Aftershocks shook the area for days. Amid the danger, members of the Native community volunteered to enter the ruined church to retrieve the tabernacle and other sacred items. Fearing for their safety, the Padres refused and went in themselves to recover the holy articles. One priest reportedly believed the events signaled the end of the world.
Then came a new and terrifying sign: the sea suddenly withdrew from the shore, leaving fish flopping helplessly on the sand — a sign the Padres had only read about in books. They knew it meant a tidal wave was coming. Quickly, they ordered the Native converts to flee to higher ground. Moments later, a massive wall of water crashed ashore.
No one is certain how high the wave was — some said 30 feet, others 50 feet. What is known is that it surged inland, reaching all the way to the stone steps of the mission church. The entire community evacuated to the small mission outpost at Casitas Springs (Santa Gertrudis), where they stayed for several weeks before returning.
When they did come back, the Padres chose to reconstruct the damaged chapel rather than build a new one — mostly due to cost. But this time, they added the stone and cement buttresses still visible today, ensuring the church would better withstand future quakes.
Next time you visit Mission San Buenaventura, take a moment to study the old front buttress. It’s more than just a structural element — it’s a reminder of survival, resilience, and a warning from history.
After all, geologists say our region should expect a major earthquake and tsunami roughly every 100 years. There was none in 1912. None in 2012. We may be overdue.
