California Mission San Juan Bautista - Paper Model Project Kit

Paper Models Online - Your Best Way To Get An "A"! 

Welcome to Paper Models Online, where we offer the best solution for those last-minute school projects that need to be completed in no time!

Whether you're looking to score extra credit, want to spend quality time with your kids, or simply need to get some time away from them, our paper models are perfect for you!

Instant PDF Download OR Pre-Printed & Shipped

You can choose from our instant PDF download option, starting at just $9.95 for the 7"x10" size or $11.95 for the 10"x13" size, which can be printed on any standard home or office printer using regular paper. But if you prefer, we can also pre-print and ship the models to you with our high-quality color printers on thick card stock paper. 

Shipping

Mailed United States Postal Service, First-Class Parcel, 1-3 day shipping same day shipping for a flat $5 fee, directly to your doorstep.

Once Your Have Your Kit

With only a pair of scissors, some glue, and about an hour of your time, you can transform these paper sheets into a true three-dimensional architectural replica or complete science project that will amaze your teacher and classmates. All of the images on our website are of actual models made from these kits, and we even include a history of your project to help you write that report!

No Mission Kits Allowed?

But that's not all - if you're feeling creative, these models can also be used as templates to create your own custom model. You can paint it, trace it, adjust the size, and use any materials you wish. The possibilities are endless, and only your imagination limits them!

The Buying Process

Typical Kit Sample

Each kit comes with 8 to 18 pages that, when cut and assembled, complete the model in the image. Each kit also includes an "exploded view" that shows how the pieces go together, and a history to help you or your child complete the project in a single evening.

Exploded View	Sample Pieces	Finished Model

And best of all, we offer free history for your report, so you can impress your teacher with your research skills as well as your creativity. So don't wait any longer - choose Paper Models Online for your next school project!

Your Best Way To Get An "A"!

Free History And Photographs For Your Report

Mission San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist)

The Mission San Juan Bautista is the 15th mission founded in California. It was founded on June 24, 1797 by Friar Fermin Lasuen. Named for John the Baptist.

Mission San Juan Bautista’s location was selected only a scant thirteen days after founding the Mission San Jose. The mission grew fast and the natives were so friendly and willing to assist that in only six months, they had an adobe church, granary, barracks, a monastery and even adobe homes. A short while after that, the padres considered to build either a new church or enlarge the existing one when a series of earthquakes over a twenty day period of time collapsed the existing church. The padres then rebuilt and enlarged it.

Unfortunately, even that was not big enough, so on June 13, 1803 the cornerstone of a new church was laid. This church was designed to be to be large but destiny made it even larger. In 1808, Father Felipe del Arroyo de la Cuesta arrived; he convinced the builders that a larger building was necessary. So instead of the customary long narrow nave and center aisle, a huge edifice was erected, with three aisles and room for over a thousand people. But fear of another earthquake again changed plans, a fearing the open arched walls would not support the heavy roof, they closed all the arches, creating once again, a single aisle church. This church was dedicated on June 23, 1812.

Fear of the earthquakes was justified; the church is built right on the edge of the San Andreas fault line. Although the work done to protect the mission is of questionable value, the mission has stood for over 200 years while others have not survived. In 1906, the big earthquake hit and walls fell. The church was repaired with steel and concrete, combined with some cross-bracing and is now much safer.

The interior of the church was continued through 1817 when the floor was tiled and then Thomas Doak, the first Anglo-American resident in the province and an American sailor who jumped ship in Monterey, completed the main altar and reredos. He painted the reredos in exchange for room and board when the original artist demanded seventy-five cents a day.

Padre Esteban Tapis is buried in the sanctuary of the church. He was, at one time, Presidente of the Missions and he is founder of the Mission Santa Ines. When he retired, he arrived at San Juan Bautista where his musical skill created a choir and created a system of using colored notes for the different voices to follow in his choir books. Two of his handwritten choir books are on exhibit today still. As early as 1814 a town grew up around the mission and while the area surrounding the mission is now a state monument, the church itself has remained and is still an active church serving the mostly Spanish-speaking parish.

To north of the church is a cemetery bordered by one of the few remains of the original El Camino Real, the first road of California. This cemetery contains the remains of over 4,000 Christian Native Americans and Europeans.

In 1935 the mission was secularized and much of the mission property was seized by the Mexican government. In 1895, the present mission buildings and 55 acres were given back to the Church by Federal decree of the United States government. San Juan Bautista has the only original Spanish Plaza remaining in California.

© Copyright – Paper Models, Inc. – All Rights Reserved