When I was growing up in CA in the 1940s and 1950s, Fr. Serra was taught as a California hero — and this was in public school.
San Juan Bautista was my favorite Mission. I have visited it many times.
Yea in CA in the 60’s too.. we all learned about father Serra and we even built model Missions ..
think of that making models of a Church as a project in a public Elementary School...
Now they teach about Harvey Milk and make models of San Francisco bath houses in elementary school