In anticipation of the 200th anniversary celebration at Old Mission Santa Ines Church in 2004, several paintings are being restored with the financial help of the California Missions Foundation.

A CMF grant and the patient skill of the South Coast Fine Arts Conservation Studio in Santa Barbara has already resulted in the restoration (and display in the mission church) of a Spanish Colonial painting of Christ with the Samaritan Woman. Painted in 17th century Mexico, it had been hidden away in a closet for more than 50 years, and had incurred paint loss, holes and wrinkles.

Prior to the current push to conserve the entire museum collection before 2004, a new security system also funded by the CMF has been installed to assure the collection is enjoyed for generations to come at the Solvang mission, an active parish as well as historic site.

Mission Santa Ines was dedicated Sept. 17, 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis of Mission Santa Barbara as the 19th of the 21 missions founded by the Franciscan Friars of Spain. It was severely damaged in an 1812 earthquake and years later fell into disrepair, but Father Alexander Buckler in 1904 began the restoration process and enlisted the talents of his niece, Mamie Goulet, to restore the art and artifacts. The Capuchin Franciscan Friars have served at the mission since 1924.