Restoration Begins on Santa Barbara Mission
The Santa Barbara Mission has a large scaffolding in front of it while a major restoration project is taking place.
The first phase of the work involves fixing the deteriorating bricks, some that were last replaced in 1952.
Weather has worn out the famous landmark in many areas. Some of the old sandstone is coming apart daily.
A large piece came down, last March hitting the mission steps.
Crews plan to repin some of the fragile bricks, fix cracks, and repaint the front of the mission in the next several weeks.
The scaffolding will possibly be up on Christmas Day.
Some of the funding for the work has come from the Save America’s Treasures Grant. The Old Mission says it needs to raise about $650,000 locally to match the funding from the grant.