Missions of California - San Juan Bautista

Mission San Juan Bautista was founded on June 24, 1797 by Father Fermin de Lasuen. Named for John the Baptist, it was 15th in the mission chain. The mission church is the largest of the missions, and the only one with three aisles. Much of the interior was painted by a sailor from Boston named Thomas Doak, and it survives today.

The Native Americans of the area were friendly, and mission population soon grew to over 1,000. Father Estevan Tapis created a male choir, enjoyed by the local population and visitors. Father Felipe del Arroyo could preach to the Native Americans in seven of their dialects, and created the first dictionary-like document of the native languages.

Mission San Juan Bautista has served mass daily since 1797, so there was never much of a rebirth. The mission was restored in 1884 and again in 1949, financed by the Hearst Foundation. Today there is a restored version of the old village, including a hotel, stable and two adobe houses. The mission is still a parish church and continues to be active in the community.