Chapter VIII: The Restoration of the Pala Chapel

In the restoration of Pala chapel the Landmarks Club of Los Angeles, incorporated "to conserve the Missions and other historic landmarks of Southern California," under the energetic presidency of Charles F. Lummis, did excellent work. November 20 to 21, 1901, the supervising committee, consisting of architects Hunt and Benton and the president, visited Pala to arrange for its immediate repair. The following is a report of its condition at the time:

The old chapel was found in much better condition for salvage
than had been feared. The earthquake of two years ago--which
was particularly severe at this point--ruined the roof and
cracked the characteristic belfry, which stands apart. But
thanks to repairs to the roof made five or six years ago by
the unassisted people, the adobe walls of the chapel are in
excellent preservation. Even the quaint old Indian
decorations have suffered almost nothing. The tile floor is
in better condition than at any of the other Missions, but
hardly a vestige of the adobe-pillared cloister remains.
Tiles are falling into the chapel through yawning gaps, and
it is really dangerous to enter. It will be necessary to
re-roof the entire structure. The sound tiles will be
carefully stacked on the ground, the timbers removed, and a
solid roof-structure built, upon which the original tiles
will be replaced. The original construction will be followed;
and round pine logs will be procured from Mt. Palomar to
replace those no longer dependable. The cloisters will be
rebuilt precisely as they were, and invisible iron bands will
be used to strengthen the campanile against possible later
earthquakes.

Then follows an interesting account of a small gathering, after the committee had formulated its plans, which took place in the little store. Here is Mr. Lummis's account of it:

The immediate valley contains about a dozen "American"
families, and about as many more Mexicans and Indians, and
about 15 heads of these families were present. After a brief
statement of the situation, the Paleños were asked if they
would help. "I will give 10 days' work," said John A.
Giddens, the first to respond. "Another ten," said Luis
Carillo. And so it went. There was not a man present who did
not promise assistance. The following additional
subscriptions were taken in ten minutes: Ami V. Golsh, 25
days' work; Luis Soberano, 15 days; Isidoro Garcia, 10 days;
Teofilo Peters and Louis Salmons, 5 days each with team
(equivalent to 10 days for a man); Dolores Salazar, Eustaquio
Lugo, Tomas Salazar, Ignacio Valenzuela, 6 days each; Geo.
Steiger and Francisco Ardillo, 5 days each. These
subscriptions amount to at least $1.75 a day each, so the
Pala contribution in work is full $217. Besides this Mr.
Frank A. Salmons subscribed $10; and other contributions are
expected. It is also fitting that the Club acknowledge
gratefully the courtesies which gave two days of Mr. Golsh's
time to bringing the committee from and back to Fallbrook,
and the charming entertainment provided by Mr. and Mrs.
Salmons. The entire trip was heart-warming; and the liberal
spirit of this little settlement of American ranchers and
Indians and Mexicans surpasses all records in the Club's
history. For that matter, while Mr. Carnegie is better known,
he has never yet done anything so large in proportion.

In July, 1903, _Out West_, an account was given of the repairs accomplished. The chapel, a building 144×27 feet, and rooms to its right, 47×27 feet, were reroofed with brick tiles; the broken walls of the entire front built up solidly and substantially to the roof level, the ugly posts from the center of the chapel taken out and the trusses strengthened by the addition of the tension members which the original builders had failed to supply. This greatly improved the appearance of the chapel.

Another beneficial service rendered was the securing of a deed from the squatter, whose story is told in another chapter, to the picturesque ruins and thus transfering them back to their rightful owners--the Catholic church, in trust for the Indians.

Unfortunately, soon after the Palatinguas came here, the resident priest, whom Bishop Conaty appointed to minister to them, did not understand Indians, their childlike devotion to the things hallowed by association with the past, and their desire to be consulted about everything that concerned their interests. Therefore, being suspicious, too, on account of their recent eviction, they were outraged to find the chapel interior freshly whitewashed so that all its ancient decorations were covered. This was another white man's affront which caused irritation and bitterness that it required months to assuage.