Pioneer Black Robes on the West Coast

Pioneer Black Robes on the West Coast is the second volume in a series chronicling the Jesuits' remarkable efforts in Spanish North America between their arrival in 1572 and their expulsion nearly 200 years later. Following Dr. Jacobsen’s first volume, which explored the establishment and expansion of Jesuit educational institutions in New Spain, this work by Dr. Dunne shifts focus to the missionaries’ courageous endeavors among the indigenous peoples of the West Coast. Beginning with Gonzalo de Tapia’s 1591 mission on the Sinaloa River, the book recounts the Jesuits’ northward expansion over four decades, culminating in their reach to the Sonora River. Through meticulous research and personal journeys across the mission terrains, Father Dunne vividly brings to life the struggles, achievements, and sacrifices of these early pioneers, including Tapia, Ribas, and Méndez.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of missionary and soldier collaboration in planting Christian civilization, this narrative captures the epic spirit of these early efforts. The Jesuit missions of the West Coast are positioned as a significant but often overlooked precursor to the famed Franciscan missions of California. By weaving together historical analysis with the raw humanity of personal experiences, Pioneer Black Robes on the West Coast highlights the monumental contributions of these early figures, whose dedication and resilience laid the cultural and spiritual groundwork for the region’s transformation. This volume not only enriches our understanding of the Jesuits’ role in shaping North American history but also serves as a vital link in the broader story of missionary endeavors in the Americas.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1940.