Juan E. Camarillo, Seminary Benefactor

One of San Buenaventura’s most prominent laymen was Juan E. Camarillo (1867-1936), a fervent Catholic gentleman whose liberality in public and private works of charity are deeply imbedded in the traditions of Southern California.

He was born in an adobe ranch house on the Camarillo acreage near what later became Ventura Avenue and Main Street, just west of the Old Mission, on April 10, 1867.

 The eldest son of Juan and Martina (Hernandez) Camarillo, Juan took his secondary courses at the Colegio Franciscano in Santa Barbara.  He later studied under the Lazarist Fathers in Los Angeles, where he graduated from Saint Vincent’s College in 1887.

 Juan never married.  For many years he lived with his mother at San Buenaventura.  There he engaged in the general mercantile business.  In subsequent times he resided at the Casa Camarillo, the Victorian home erected by his brother, Adolfo, in 1892.

Juan traveled extensively throughout the world and everywhere he carried with him the best traditions of pioneer Californians.  He visited the Holy Land for the first time in 1906.

During the following three decades, Juan journeyed to Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Egypt and Latin America.  He was a keen observer of all the sacred shrines, ancient ruins and art treasures abounding in those faraway places. 

On July 31, 1905, Juan and a select group of other Americans were received in a private papal audience at the Vatican.  The solideo or zucchetto which Pope Pius X presented to Mr. Camarillo on that occasion is now displayed in the Historical Museum at San Buenaventura Mission.  Also exhibited there is a picture of the audience, the first photograph ever taken of a Pope with a visiting group of dignitaries. 

Early in 1916, Juan traveled to Hawaii for a visit with the Right Reverend Libert Boeynaems, Vicar Apostolic, who introduced him to the local clergy.  He subsequently wrote an informative article for The Tidings on “The Church in Hawaii.”  Several other of Camarillo’s essays were published by that newspaper, including one in Spanish, on February 18, 1927, describing his visit to Alhambra, Toledo and Madrid.

The artifacts collected by Juan in his many world travels were housed for many years in a special museum wing, adjacent to Saint Mary Magdalen Church, in Camarillo.  Through the kindness of Msgr. John Hughes, the collection was moved to San Buenaventura Mission, where it has been on permanent display since 1967.

 The benefactions of Juan Camarillo are legendary.  On March 3, 1927, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Roman Catholic Junior Seminary, Juan announced his intention of giving one hundred acres of choice land to the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles for the erection of a senior seminary, to be named after his patron saint.

 At the time of his demise, Juan willed the family chapel, Saint Mary Magdalen, to the Order of Friars Minor.  The Franciscans agreed with diocesan authorities to exchange the chapel and it has since served as the parish church for the town (now city) of Camarillo.

 Mr. Camarillo was almost a compulsive benefactor when it came to youngsters.  In some parts of South America, “Juan’s Day” became an annual holiday eagerly anticipated by the little ones.

His generosity was publicly recognized on July 27, 1927, when Pope Pius XI enrolled Juan Camarillo in the Equestrian Order of Knights of Pope Saint Sylvester, the first time that distinction was bestowed in the United States.

On August 24, 1936, Juan was laid to rest in the burial vaults of the beautiful church he had built as a house of God and memorial to his departed forebears in 1911.

The news account reported that “the church and all the sightly hill on which it stands was crowded with those who had come from far and near to pay their respects.”  One reporter noted that “for himself and for his family it was a tribute richly deserved.”

The eulogy was preached by Archbishop John J. Cantwell who spoke “feelingly on the honorable Catholic life” of Juan Camarillo and his well-earned niche in the story of California’s religious and social heritage.

Taken from chapter 24 of A History of San Buenaventura Mission by Msgr. Francis J. Weber.  Published by San Buenaventura Mission Gift Shop, San Buenaventura, California.