On September 1, 1772 Father Serra founded San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Mission. It is the fifth in the chain of 21. The mission was named for Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, France. It is located in San Luis Obispo.

With the aid of local Chumash Indians, tree boughs and poles were set up to make temporary buildings. As the community grew, permanent structures were built: workshops, soldiers' barracks, and an infirmary.

Then from 1810-1822 Mexico revolted against Spanish rule. This time the Mission received little aid from outside sources and had to fend for itself. In 1822 Mexico won independence and California came under Mexican rule. The new government had many problems, and dealing with mission outposts was not a primary concern. The original goals of the mission system were to turn Indians into citizens of the Spanish Empire and mission communities into self-governing towns. This was to be completed in ten years. These goals were not fulfilled in California.

Indians had been decimated by disease and the mission communities had weakened. The Mexican government, not willing to spend more time and money on the failing missions, passed a decree of secularization. By secularizing the mission, the government was free to sell the lands. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was sold for about $500. Various rooms functioned as a jail and courthouse.

In 1848, California became part of the United States. Archbishop Alemany petitioned the U.S. government for return of mission land; much was returned in the 1850's. Since then, this Mission has functioned as a parish church for the city of San Luis Obispo that has gradually grown up around it.

It has changed greatly; gone through architectural modifications, even been made to look like a New England style church, complete with a steeple. In the 1930's, the Mission was restored to early mission style under the direction of Father John Hartnett. The real restoration began by removing all this clutter and getting back to the bricks and stone, the simplicity, the purity of the original mission building. Father Hartnett was responsible for much of this fine restoration, although he died before it reached its present charming self. The Mission reminds us today of its origins and history of days past.

The patron saint of the mission is Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, France. Father Serra put this Mission on a place that is called "La Canada De Los Osos" (Valley of the Bears).

Father Serra found this Mission. It was founded September 1, 1772. It is located at what is now the corner of Monterey and Choro streets in downtown San Louis Obispo. In 1947 they restored the Mission again and it is now open to the public.