Many of the California missions fell into ruin and have had to be extensivley restored, or even rebuilt from piles of rubble. But the mission at San Miguel remains very much as it was originally constructed in 1816-18. The heavy roof beams, the brick floor paving, the confessional and the pulpit are all original. It is solemnly impressive, as are most old churches. But the paintings bring it to life!

The church is a plain rectangular room without much architectural distinction. But painted on the walls are fluted columns, and above there is a faux gallery with railings and pillasters. The frescoes were done by the Indian neophytes, under the direction of Estévan Munras of Monterey. The crowning glory is the all-seeing eye of God, over the altar.