| MILESTONES
OF MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA |
| 1797 |
Mission
San Juan Bautista established on June 24th. Nine adobe buildings
were built, including the chapel. |
| 1799 |
With
conversions and baptisms progressing steadily, more buildings
were constructed. The livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, horses,
mules) tripled. |
| 1800 |
During
October, there were six earthquakes a day for 19 days. This
damaged all the adobe buildings. |
| 1803 |
On
June 13th, the cornerstone was laid for the present church. |
| 1805 |
Preparations
were being made for erecting dwellings for Indian families
while the work on the church continued. |
| 1809
|
On
June 3rd, our patron San Juan Bautista statue was placed on
the main altar of the sacristy. |
| 1810 |
Adobe
buildings continue to be constructed including a kitchen. |
| 1811 |
Cemetery
laid out and a roof placed on the church. |
| 1812 |
The
church was completed. |
| 1825 |
Padre
Estevan Tapis, third President of the California Mission,
died November 34d. He had served at San Juan Bautista for
over ten years. His talent for music brought San Juan Bautista
the title of "Mission of Music." |
| 1829 |
A
barrel organ was given to the Padres in Monterey by an English
sea captain. This organ was sent to San Juan Bautista. |
| 1832 |
The
annual report indicated a total of only 925 Indians living
in and around the Mission. |
| 1833 |
Mexican
born Padre Jose Antonio Anzar was assigned to the Mission.
Mission "secularized," taken from the Catholic Church
by the Mexican government. |
| 1834 |
The
leaders of the California Territorial Government ordered confiscation
of Missions and their property. |
| 1838 |
Cemetery
next to the church was full and a new cemetery was opened. |
| 1842 |
Mexican
Governor Micheltorena issued a decree restoring what remained
of the Mission properties to the Franciscans. |
| 1846 |
May,
United States declares war on Mexico. |
| 1847 |
March
1, United States Military Governor of California issued a
proclamation protecting the rights of religious institutions
(Missions) under the U.S. Constitution. |
| 1848 |
March,
United States - Mexican war ends. |
| 1853 |
The
Catholic Bishop of California files claims with the Land Commissioners
for all 21 Missions. |
| 1859 |
U.
S. President Buchanan signs a patent restoring San Juan Bautista
Mission to the Catholic Church. |
| 1860 |
Under
the direction of Father Ubach and the Sisters of Charity a
day school and orphanage was opened. |
| 1865 |
Father
Rubio became pastor. He built the bell tower of two rooms
one above the other capped by a belfry. |
| 1897 |
Heavy
windstorm blew the conical spire off the bell tower. |
| 1906 |
Earthquake
damaged the side walls of the church. |
| 1923 |
Bell
tower remodeled. |
| 1949 |
Bell
tower removed. |
| 1975 |
Restoration
work began on the Church. |
| 1976 |
Present
bell tower built. |
| 1996 |
Guadalupe
Chapel restored |
| 1997 |
Mission
Bicentennial |
| 2007 |
Restoration
of Convento Wing / New Gift Shop |
| 2008 |
Work
toward new bathrooms |
| 2012
|
Bicentennial
of the Mission Church, 1803-1812 |
