HISTORIC MISSION SAINTS

The City of San Juan Bautista is defined by its history and its traditions.  An exemplary example of such tradition is the posting of the historic Mission Saints hung from 3rd Street lamp posts during the holiday season.  The 44 current Saints, representing the 21 CA Missions and Father Serra, were based on a painting by the Reverend Michael Buckley, artist-priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Cuyama, CA.

The Saints were first posted in 1965 and over the years, they became very weathered.  Artist Ursula Hanes Guthrie was asked to make a new set of Saints.  In 2001 artists Gayle Sleznick and Norm Scott began once again to refurbish each Saint.  Since then, Gayle Sleznick continues this work. 

In 2002 the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce began the Saint Adoption Program to raise money for future restoration.  With the closing of the Chamber, the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista began its sponsorship of the Saints and continues the Saint Adoption Program posting the Saints each holiday season to support the traditions of San Juan Bautista. 

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SAINTS:
Junipero Serra, San Diego, San Carlos, San Antonio, San Gabriel, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara,
La Purisima, Santa Cruz, Soledad, San Jose, San Juan Bautista,San Miguel, San Fernando, San Luis Rey, Santa Inez, Solano, San Rafael

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Mission Saint Sponsorship Applications & Contact Information:  Please see "drop down" above