SAN MIGUEL
San Miguel (St. Michael), situated about forty-seven miles northeast of San Luís Obispo, is the site of Mission San Miguel, founded July 25, 1797, by Padres Lasuén and Sitjar. It is said that “the lands of this mission extended from the Tulares on the east to the sea on the west, and from the north boundary of the San Luís Obispo district to the south line of San Antonio. It had its work-shops and little factories where the good padres taught the Indians the useful arts. Its property was confiscated in 1836, and sold at auction in 1846.”
St. Michael, in whose honor this mission was named, “is regarded as the first and mightiest of all created spirits. He it was whom God commissioned to expel Satan and the rebellious angels from Heaven. His office now is believed to be two-fold, including that of patron saint of the Church on earth, and Lord of the souls of the dead; presenting the good to God and sending the evil and wicked away to torment.” In pictures St. Michael is always represented as young and beautiful, sometimes as the Lord of souls in pictures of death, sometimes in armor as the conqueror of Satan.