Interior of a large, ornate church with wooden pews, arched ceilings, stained glass windows, and an illuminated altar at the front.
Photo taken on 16 May 2025. MDBasChapGrnd2nd. Credit: Jay A. Martin.

The stained glass windows in the Mission Dolores Basilica depict the 21 Spanish missions in Alta California, the northern territory of New Spain established in 1804. The windows were made for the Mission Dolores Basilica by Franz Mayer & Company of Munich, Germany. They were installed during the basilica’s construction in the 1920s and 1930s.

Interior of a church with wooden pews, arched ceiling, stained glass windows, and an ornate altar illuminated by warm lighting.
Photo taken on May 16, 2025. Mission Dolores Basilica Chapel. Credit: Jay A. Martin.
Four stained glass windows depict biblical figures and scenes, each with labeled names and intricate, colorful designs within arched frames inside a church.
Photo taken on May 9, 2025. Mission Dolores Basilica Stained Glass. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • Stained glass window depicting San Rafael Arcangel above a mission church, and San Francisco Solano above another mission, with dates and names inscribed beside each scene.
  • Stained glass window depicting religious figures, mission buildings, and dates "June 13, 1798" and "Sept. 17, 1804" with the text "San Luis Rey" and "Santa Inéz.
  • Stained glass window depicting Saint Michael the Archangel above a church, and a bishop below with mission buildings and a date: September 8, 1797.
  • Stained glass window depicting religious figures, labeled San Jose de Guadalupe and San Juan Bautista, with churches and dates June 11, 1797 and June 24, 1797.
Four arched stained glass windows in a church, each featuring religious figures and buildings, separated by columns with sculpted reliefs at the base.
Photo taken on May 9, 2025. Mission Dolores Basilica Stained Glass. Photo by Jay A. Martin.
  • Stained glass window depicting Saint Bonaventure and Saint Clare, with each figure shown above representations of buildings and inscriptions.
  • Stained glass window depicting San Juan Capistrano and San Luis Obispo missions with portraits of saints, mission buildings, and dates of their founding.
  • Stained glass window depicting Archangel Gabriel above and Saint Anthony of Padua below, with their names in Spanish and images of buildings and landscapes in the background.
  • Stained glass window depicts San Carlos Borromeo and San Diego de Alcalá above their respective mission churches with inscriptions and dates.
Interior of a church with wooden pews, ornate altar, wall mural, and a ceiling featuring a colorful geometric pattern. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling.
Photo taken on May 16, 2025. Photo by Jay A. Martin.

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2 Comments

  1. The interior close to the main altar has changed quite alot over the years. I went to MD Boys School from late 60’s to early 70’s, and lived a few blocks away.

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  2. This was my church every Sunday and where I had my First Communion ..and Confirmation. I lived in and grew up as a child, in what is now an expensive apartment complex between Valencia and Guerrero/ covering 15th to 17th Streets. The original Valencia Gardens. I hope my old church (Basilica) is doing alright.

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