San Juan Bautista in San Benito County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mission San Juan Bautista
January 17, 2013
1. Mission San Juan Bautista Marker
Founded June 24, 1797 by Father Laseun
15th of the 21 Missions largest and only church with 3 aisles. Dedicated in 1812
Monastery wing consisted of 36 rooms
This Mission has never been abandoned. It is now the parish church of San Juan Bautista.
Erected 1969. (Marker Number 195.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Daughters of the American Revolution series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1965.
Location. 36° 50.743′ N, 121° 32.132′ W. Marker is in San Juan Bautista, California, in San Benito County. Marker is at the intersection of Second Street and Mariposa Street on Second Street. Marker is mounted to the adobe fence at the entrance to Mission San Juan Bautista and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Second Street, San Juan Bautista CA 95045, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mission Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); The San Andreas Fault Exhibit & El Camino Real Earthquake Walk (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Regarding Mission San Juan Bautista. Mission San Juan Bautista and the town of San Juan played a major part in early California history. In 1846, just prior to the war with Mexico, Colonel John C. Frémont came to the vicinity of the Mission with surveyors, trappers, and Delaware Indians and established a fortress atop Gavilan Mountain. In the days of the Gold Rush this was a stage stop on the main road and the famed Bandit Joaquin Murrietta is reported to have visited the Mission several times.
Also see . . . San Juan Bautista. California Missions website entry (Submitted on February 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
2. Mission San Juan Bautista Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Mission San Juan Bautista
This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.195 on June 20, 1935.
Statement of Significance:
Founded June 24,1790, Mission San Juan Bautista, partly destroyed by the earthquakes of 1800 and 1906, was repeatedly restored. The two bells it now uses were salvaged from its original chime. The plaza on its south, surrounded by old adobes, has witnessed many historic scenes, including General Frémont's activities in 1846.
— Submitted January 16, 2009.
2. The Mission
The Mission, founded in 1797, is the oldest building in the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuen chose this location because there were many Indians in the area, and because it was about a day's walk from both Mission Santa Clara and Mission San Carlos Borromeo at Carmel. Excellent soil and a good water supply, as well as timber, lime and sandstone, were available nearby.
At one time some 1,200 Indians lived and worked at the Mission. More than 4,300 are buried in the old cemetery, along with a number of Spanish Californians.
The church itself, the largest mission church in California, was started
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
3. Lower - Mission San Juan Bautista Marker
Source: Mission San Juan Bautista Historic State Park Brochure
— Submitted January 16, 2009.
3. Two Plaques Are Now Gone
The two plaques from the Daughters of the American Revolution that were on the corner of the fence are no longer there.
— Submitted August 16, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
4. Mission San Juan Bautista Markers
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
5. Mission San Juan Bautista Marker
The marker can be seen to the right of the main arch and to to the left of the tent.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
6. The Mission San Juan Bautista Church Bells
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
7. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
8. Sign at Entrance to Mission Cemetery
This Mission's first offering to God, marked with the Sign of the Holy Trinity was a child. Maria Trinidad, buried April 23, 1798. Fr. Jose Martiarena officiated.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
9. Entrance to Cemetery
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
10. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
11. Interior of the Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
12. Interior of the Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
13. Junipero Serra
Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 11, 2009
14. Marker at Base of Junipera Serra Statue
Photographed By Michael D Martin, February 27, 2010
15. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Michael D Martin, February 27, 2010
16. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Michael D Martin, February 11, 2010
17. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Michael D Martin, February 11, 2010
18. Mission San Juan Bautista
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 5, 2023
19. DAR Plaques Are Gone
Mike Roberts, Distributed by Bob Ball, Visalia, Ca, circa 1977
20. Mission San Juan Bautista
Description on Postcard:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, founded in 1797, is the largest of the 21 Missions. This Mission, with its 4 feet thick adobe walls, took the Indians 15 years to build.
Note the white picket fence and the cross in front of the entrance door - neither of these are here today. Also note that the bell tower has been restored since this photo image was taken.
Note the white picket fence and the cross in front of the entrance door - neither of these are here today. Also note that the bell tower has been restored since this photo image was taken.
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
21. Dedication Marker
To the deceased past pageant and San Juan/Rodeo workers of San Juan and other communities. Men, women, boys and girls who labored faithfully in their various ways to build up character and effectiveness of the annual commemoration of the founding of the old mission. To them who now are gone ahead of us, we respectfully dedicate this plaque.
Father Francis J.E. Caffery MM
Pageant Founder - 1929-1941
Leonard A. Caetano
Fiesta-Rodeo Chairman 1952-1983
Fiesta de San Juan Chairman 1984-2000
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
22. Mission Cemetery
Shaded by ancient olive trees.
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
23. Saint John the Baptist
San Juan Bautista
San Juan Bautista
Mark 1:4-5
John 1:6-9
Matthew 3:1-3
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
24. Honey Comb and Locust
Photographed By James King, April 4, 2015
25. San Juan Bautista
Note that the wooden cross in front of the sanctuary has been returned to its place.(Reference picture #19)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 7,850 times since then and 130 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 18, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on April 7, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on January 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 13, 14. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 15, 16, 17, 18. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Michael D Martin of Gig Harbor, Washington. 19. submitted on August 16, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 20. submitted on January 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. submitted on April 8, 2015, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
