A scholarly account of the work of Father Junipero Serra in founding the Franciscan mission of California in the eighteenth century. The period of the Spanish settlements in California is an exciting one, and among the many daring men who penetrated into the Indian territory of upper California were groups of priests, dedicated to the spiritual as well as material well-being of the Indians there, many of whom had never seen white men. As Father President of the Franciscans of Alta California, the aging, ailing but courageous and enterprising Father Serra seemed to face an almost impossible task -- to establish self-sufficient Indian communities based upon Christian principles of brotherhood and orderly living while dealing with the primitive Indian culture and personality on the one hand, and the bickering of warlike Spanish militarists and wavering governors on the other. Ignoring personal hardships and discouragements, Father Serra was able, with the help of brave soldiers and priests, to see his dream of a chain of missions come true.