Old Town: Church of the Immaculate Conception

At the heart of Old Town you can find the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Whether you are Catholic or not, it is hard to deny the beauty and serenity of this little gem surrounded by the festive businesses and restaurants of one of San Diego’s biggest tourist areas.



Edited from the church’s website:

Saint Junípero Serra celebrated his First Holy Mass in California on July 2, 1769, near the site of the present Immaculate Conception Church, and it was on the hill overlooking Old Town that he planted the cross which marked the site of the Mission and the Presidio. In 1849, the parish was established with the appointment of Rev. John C. Holbein as the first pastor. He laid the cornerstone for the old adobe church in 1851. Masses were celebrated in the homes of residents of Old Town. A chapel dedicated to The Immaculate Conception was dedicated in 1858. It still stands and is known as the Old Adobe Chapel on Conde Street. The cornerstone to the present Immaculate Conception Church was laid in 1868 under the direction of Father Antonio Ubach. Due to the population swing toward the south, a lack of funding and a devastating fire in Old Town, it was not until July 1917 that the church was completed and Masses began to be celebrated. It was dedicated by Archbishop John J. Cantwell of Los Angeles on July 6, 1919.



In 1998, the church was seismically retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and it was rededicated by Bishop Gilbert E. Chavez. On July 14, 2019, the parish celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of Immaculate Conception Church with a Mass officiated by Bishop John P. Dolan. It now serves over 300 families throughout the San Diego region as well as visitors from around the world.



The decor is tasteful and simple; and unlike the surrounding areas of this church, inside it is very serene.







For those that didn’t take Latin, “Sanctus” means holy, sacred, or consecrated. Once a requirement in Western education, it began to be phased out in the 1960s. I was able to bypass it as a student; not sure if that was a good thing or not, but I remember being relieved as a kid that I didn’t have to take it after hearing what a struggle it was to learn and how nobody used it in the real world anyway. But I digress, as always.



If you decide to hit Old Town for a margarita or a meal, take a quiet moment first and check out this historic church.



See more Church of the Immaculate Conception photos at my main website.

Jersey Girl, Pt. 3

We’re up to Day 3, and still have lots of ground to cover! Another hike with Willis which lead to this photo opp for Melissa to pose in front of Hamilton Tavern. Even though it has nothing to do with the Broadway Show, let’s not tell her the truth and spoil her photo, ok? While there’s no coffee to be had at Daveland, nothing like a daily dose of Cranberry juice to get you going...and keep the pipes clean!



Breakfast was at The Mission, which I first discovered in Mission Beach, but can now also enjoy in my hood of North Park.



A cellphone photo-duel!



Oh the pancakes...and bacon! Pass the syrup, please!



The carb-loading was so that we could handle all the ghosts at one of San Diego’s (allegedly) most haunted homes, The Whaley House. Located in Old Town, it had been almost two decades since I last took a tour.



Here I am posing with Thomas Whaley himself, who has (allegedly) been seen haunting the house by many a visitor.



The house has served many a purpose over the years, including Thomas Whaley's general store:



The County Court House:



Pardon me while I admire this desk:



and San Diego's first commercial theater:





Something creepy about this staircase…



Melissa looks like she’s just seen a ghost!



The family that plays together…



HAUNTS TOGETHER!



Time to explore the rest of Old Town! The Church of the Immaculate Conception:









The El Campo Santo Cemetery:



While there are a number of headstones and bodies buried here, some didn’t quite make the cemetery. They were paved over by San Diego Avenue. And yes...this has lead to (allegedly) quite a bit of paranormal activity by the deceased who were not happy about this!



Let’s stop by the Blacksmith Shop:



Still active!



Once the home of the festive Casa de Bandini Restaurant (they served margaritas you could basically swim in!), this building has been "restored" back to its 1869 incarnation, The Cosmopolitan Hotel:



Not to be confused with the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas!



One of the leftover “guests” from the dia de los muertos celebration. The one on the right...not Melissa on the left!



Melissa thought this Conestoga wagon would make the perfect addition to the Pioneer Camp that she puts together every summer. Her husband might think differently.



Who’s ready for the Good Ship Lollipop?



Just up the street a bit is Heritage Park, where a number of threatened Victorian-style homes were salvaged and moved into one place.



I’ll take either one of these, thank you.



Melissa in the Heritage Park church, praying her husband doesn’t see her PayPal bill.



Another short car ride away took us to the Junípero Serra Museum at the Presidio was founded in 1929 by George Marston (remember seeing his house the other day, dear readers? Pay attention, please!).



Melissa enjoyed the view of Mission Valley:







The Junípero Serra Museum exhibits archeological finds, historic objects, and reference materials related to Spanish colonization and the early history of California. Regardless, I just think the building and the views are pretty cool!



After a brief nap, it was time to grab a quick dinner at North Park’s urbn Pizza.



Oh…their mashed potato pizza. Words cannot begin to describe.



Ready for more? You’ll have to wait until Wednesday!

See more Daveland photos at my main website.