Mission San Luis Rey is the 18th of 21 missions. It is called "King of the Missions" because it's the biggest one. The name comes from Louis IX, The King of France. The location of it is in a valley, 40 miles north of San Diego. It was built between 1798 and 1837 and it was founded by Father Fermin Lasue'n.

The church is 180 feet long, 28 feet wide and 30 feet high. It is built of adobe bricks and has a tile roof. It has a domed ceiling made of wood and the interior is colorful with native designs. A single domed tower served as a bell and lookout tower. The walls were 6 to 9 feet thick. The mission buildings cover 6 acres around, and has a 500 foot square patio. The architecture of this mission is very graceful.

Mission San Luis Rey was so successful because of Father Antonio Peryi, who stayed at the mission for 34 years. Its population reached 2700, at its peak. In 1846 the U.S. troops took over and in 1865 it was given back to the Catholic Church.

Today the mission is a parish church and used as a retreat center. It is still under reconstruction.

I think Mission San Luis Rey is special because it is the king of the missions, the biggest. Another interesting fact is that they had HUGE gardens, and the first pepper tree was grown there. I would like to visit it one day!!!!