Marking the Sacred: Reading Between the Lines of Mission San Miguel the Arcángel—Shifting Dynamics of Sacred Space and Identity in the California Missions

The California Spanish colonial community of Mission San Miguel the Arcángel consisted primarily of Salinan native populations and included neophyte Indians from previously established Missions of San Luis Obispo, San Antonio. Within the Mission Church examples of nineteenth century “graffiti” can be found etched throughout the sanctified interior. Researchers have suggested that specific sections of these stylized markings are analogous to California Indian rock art with subsequent parallels being drawn from regional archaeological sites. The present research works to broaden previous Spanish Mission era studies by relating spatial positions of proposed neophyte etchings within San Miguel to Catholic tradtions which directed the use of sacred space. Spatial and liturgical organization of neophytes within the mission church was defined by many factors including age, biological gender, musical aptitude, and level of religious training. By tradition and edict accesses to sacred space was linked to neophyte identity and status. Associated to this, proposed neophyte etching within the church of San Miguel are found in pronounced form in areas of access corresponding to prominent status within the church. This observation offers many compelling perspectives related to neophyte continuance and the conflation of indigenous traditions in the formation of sacred space in the California Missions.