Saint Barbara lived in the Middle East in the region known as Nicomedia. She was the daughter of a prominent Pagan ruler, who was alarmed at the spread of Christianity in his lands, and had his seventeen-year-old daughter removed to a secure tower residence where she would not come in contact with teachers of the new religion. Despite his precautions Barbara received instructions and was baptized. She ordered the workmen to cut two new windows in her tower room, making three in all, and when her father asked the meaning of the added windows she explained: "Grace comes to us through three channels, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Realizing his daughter's conversion to the hated sect, her father beheaded her with his own sworn on the spot. Instantly, from a cloudless sky, a bolt of lightning is said to have struck him dead.

Based upon ancient devotion to the girl-martyr, Saint Barbara was named one of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers," as storms at sea, and explosions. She is also Patroness of architects, seafarers and artillerymen. She is often shown with a sworn of her martyrdom, and holding the Blessed Sacrament which she is said to bring to the faithful at the hour of death.

In December, 1602, when the Spanish voyager Visanino was sailing up the present California coast, his ship was engulfed in a sudden tempest. the sailors sought the intercession of Saint Barbara, and were delivered from shipwreck on her Feast Day, December 4th. In thanksgiving they named the channel in her honor. The city of Santa Barbara, and later the Mission, founded in 1786, were both given the same name. The Franciscan successors to the Padres who founded the Mission gave her name to the modern Franciscan Province of Santa Barbara, which embraces six Western states and the Philippine Islands. Her Feast Day is still observed with solemnity by the Fathers at Santa Barbara Mission.

During a courthouse tour, a visitor pointed out the rest of the story to those on the tour..."when Saint Barbara was in her tower residence, she would let down her hair and left the bible stories that helped convert her to Christianity." It is believed that Saint Barbara's story was used a inspiration for the children's story of Rapunzel.

This tile mosaic in the floor in the Anacapa Wing depicts the story of Saint Barbara. Click the images to view a larger picture.