San Diego de Alcala Mission, painting by California artist RD Riccoboni. A beautiful painting in bold contrast of white and blue colors reflective of the adobe structures architecture and historical significance. First of the 21 missions and known as the Mother of the Missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded on July 16, 1769 by Blessed Junipero Serra. The oldest building in San Diego and California and one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River. Constructed out of adobe by the King of Spain's orders by the friars and local Indians. Spain had the right of discovery to Alta or Upper California but it was not until 1768 when the Russians were seal hunting off the coast of California that King Carlos III of Spain became concerned and made the decision to build settlements. He sent orders to New Spain (Mexico) that expeditions must be sent to Alta California in order to establish Spain's Dominion. It was a political move but the King wanted it to look religious. It was designated as a Minor Basilica in 1976 by Pope Paul VI. The Mission today is an active Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Diego. San Diego de Alcala, the first of the great California Missions, marks the birthplace of Christianity in the far West. It is California's first church and plays a major role not only in religious significance but in California's architecture and urban development of it's cities and were people live and drive today. The original mission trails are the basis for today's superhighways in the state and it's urban and cultural centers are centered around many of the original mission sites.