A Vision for Our Children

The education of children at San Buenaventura Mission has flourished intermittently since 1829 (during Mexican rule) and continuously since 1922. Originally a four-classroom structure, Holy Cross School has served its students and the parish admirably since its 1922 dedication. In 1925 it was expanded to accommodate growth and in 1949 a subsequent renovation brought it out to Main Street (El Camino Real) with no space left for further expansion.

The past half century has brought more growth, as well as wear-and-tear and obsolescence, and now the school’s problems far exceed spatial deficiency. Analyses already performed indicate that major plumbing, heating, and electrical rework is necessary and that more than half the building would have to be structurally reinforced to meet earthquake safety standards. With all of that, not one square inch of space would be added. The bottom line is that to survive, the school had to be rebuilt.

In response to this situation, the San Buenaventura Mission parish, under the leadership of Monsignor Patrick J. O’Brien, formed a Planning and Development Committee comprising parishioners, faculty, parish staff, and parents, and in June 1994 hired the downtown firm of Mainstreet Architects and Planners to prepare a conceptual master site plan for the Mission properties, incorporating the design of a new school and an adjoining Multi-Purpose Building which would serve both school and parish. The plan was very well received by the Ventura City Council and was presented to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for consent to proceed, which was granted in December 1994.

The new school, with pre-kindergarten kindergarten, and grades 1-8, as well as a library, is now located at the base of the hill back of the Mission, east of the present school, a portion of which will be demolished. At its eastern extremity it is connected by a foyer to the Multi-Purpose Building, which will house school administrative offices, a chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, adult classrooms, a parish/school kitchen, and a spacious hall used as a school auditorium and for large parish gatherings. The architectural style is in harmony with existing Mission buildings.

Holy Cross School, in a modern edifice, can continue to offer a superior and affordable Pre-K to 8th grade education in an environment that is conducive to learning and free of strife and disruption. It is now possible to enhance and expand the curriculum with state-of-the-art methodology and equipment, yet not forsake the 4 R’s – Religion plus the well-known three. Any child who can meet the academic qualifications is welcome. The Holy Cross School Alumni Association continues to assist those in financial need. Serving youth by offering an opportunity such as this assures that the future – which is in the hands of well-educated and responsible citizens – is also served.

The benefits of the new school and Multi-Purpose Building will enhance the entire community’s quality of life and will radiate throughout Downtown, which the city is restoring and revitalizing as "the symbol and social ‘Heart of the City.’" The Old Mission is in the forefront of redevelopment just as it was the genesis of development in the 19th century when the city began to form around it. San Buenaventura, Mission by the Sea, has ever been hospitable to resident and tourist alike; its new facilities enables even more hospitality.
The Mission (and the entire block on which it is located) is designated on the National Historic Register as the Mission Historic District. Steeped in the history of the local Chumash people and of Spain, Mexico, and the United States of America, it is also a State Historic Landmark and a City Historic Landmark. Helping the Mission and the school to thrive and prosper is a tribute to California’s heritage and to the spiritual and scholastic legacy of Junipero Serra, padre and professor, whose impact on California is legendary.

Enthusiasm and confidence have already resulted in sizable donations from those who were determined to see the vision of an up-to-date, operational, debt-free school at San Buenaventura Mission, which became reality in January 2001. The "homework" has been done. The technical, engineering, and bureaucratic hurdles were cleared. Required analyses and archaeological investigations were completed. Ground breaking was in 1997. Costs now need to be met.