<P> Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the first Franciscan mission in The Californias , a province of New Spain . Located in present - day San Diego , California , it was founded on July 16 , 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay people . The mission and the surrounding area were named for the Catholic Didacus of Alcalá , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego . The mission was the site of the first Christian burial in Alta California . San Diego is also generally regarded as the site of the region 's first public execution , in 1778 . Father Luis Jayme , California 's first Christian martyr , lies entombed beneath the chancel floor . The current church , built in the early 19th century , is the fifth to stand on this location . The mission site is a National Historic Landmark . </P>
<P> Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the first Franciscan mission in The Californias , a province of New Spain . Located in present - day San Diego , California , it was founded on July 16 , 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay people . The mission and the surrounding area were named for the Catholic Didacus of Alcalá , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego . The mission was the site of the first Christian burial in Alta California . San Diego is also generally regarded as the site of the region 's first public execution , in 1778 . Father Luis Jayme , California 's first Christian martyr , lies entombed beneath the chancel floor . The current church , built in the early 19th century , is the fifth to stand on this location . The mission site is a National Historic Landmark . </P>
who was the san diego mission named after
who was the san diego mission named after
the Catholic Didacus of Alcalá , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego
the Catholic Didacus of Alcalá , a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego