The mission called the Jewel of the chain, so grandly planned and built it was, with a tower topped by a golden cock that could be seen flashing in the sun from Los Angeles, nine miles away, so tall it stood.

People speak of San Juan Capistrano as being the oldest remaining building in California, as well as the oldest mission, but this does not apply to the magnificent ruin of the church. It is the small adobe church, reconstructed from the original one in which Serra celebrated mass, that is intended and of this more lately.

Spain controlled California until 1821, when Mexico won its independence. In 1845, the Mission was sold for $710 to Don Juan Forster. The Spanish padres planned to educate and train the native Indians so they could soon own the land themselves. However, in 1821, a newly formed Mexican government took over California and told the Spanish to leave.

The cliff swallows traditionally come to Southern California in March to nest. They return to their homes (6,000 miles away) in Goya, Argentina in October. Swallows nested at the Mission because of the water, sticks and mud they were able to find for their nests. This Mission was made famous by Leon Rene's song, "When the Swallows come back to Capistrano," written over 50 years ago.