La Purisima Concepcion: The Enduring History of a California Mission - Hardcoverby Michael R. Hardwick (Author) In two centuries, La Purisima Concepcion went from a fledgling frontier mission to a renowned California State Historic Park. Once home to many Spanish soldiers, settlers and hundreds of Chumash Indians, La Purisima held the seat of the California Mission government under Father Mariano Payeras. It withstood catastrophic events, including widespread disease in early years and a great Southern California earthquake in