This undoubtedly hastened his death, which occurred August 28, 1782.
[Illustration: MISSION SANTA BARBARA.] [Illustration: MISSION SANTA BARBARA FROM THE HILLSIDE.] [Illustration: INTERIOR OF MISSION SANTA BARBARA.] It was not until two years later that Neve's successor, Fages, authorized Serra's successor, Lasuen, to proceed.

Even then it was feared that he would demand adherence to new conditions which were to the effect that the padres should not have control over the temporal affairs of the Indians; but, as the guardian of the college had positively refused to send missionaries for the new establishments, unless they were founded on the old lines, Fages tacitly agreed.

On December 4, therefore, the cross was raised on the site called _Taynayan_ by the Indians and _Pedragoso_ by the Spaniards, and formal possession taken, though the first mass was not said until Fages's arrival on the 16th.

Lasuen was assisted by Padres Antonio Paterna and Cristobal Oramas.

Father Zephyrin has written a very interesting account of Santa Barbara Mission, some of which is as follows: "The work of erecting the necessary buildings began early in 1787.