by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | San Antonio MissionsMission San José |
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covered parks
San Antonio Missions
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park
Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo
English
“...in point of beauty, plan, and strength... there
is not a presidio...that can compare with it.”
Fr. Morfi, 1777
Reprinted from Story of the Great American West ©1977. The
Reader’s Digest Association, INC.
Founding the “Queen of
the Missions”
A Day at Mission San
José in 1778
In 1719, Father Margil de Jesús, a seasoned Franciscan missionary, was at Mission San Antonio
de Valero (today’s Alamo), awaiting the opportunity to re-establish missions in east Texas. Before
too long, he saw need for another mission in the
San Antonio River valley. He wrote the Marqués
de Aguayo, then governor of the Province of
Coahuila and Texas, requesting permission to
establish a second mission south of San Antonio
de Valero. He felt he was prepared to establish
this mission at once as he had necessary church
goods with him, even a statue of Saint Joseph.
The Marqués agreed and founding ceremonies
took place on February 23, 1720. Leaders of three
Indian bands that wanted to come into the mission were appointed governor, judge, and sheriff
in the new community of San José y San Miguel
de Aguayo. Father Margil entrusted the care of
the project to Father Núñez and two soldiers.
The Franciscan friars’ objective was to convert
indigenous hunters and gatherers into Catholic,
tax-paying subjects of the King of Spain. The
Indians’ struggle for survival against European
disease and raiding Lipan Apaches led them to
the missions and to forfeit their culture. Everything changed for these neophytes: diet, clothing, religion, culture — even their names. They
were required to learn two new languages, Latin
and Spanish, as well as new vocations.
ers, and at the lime kilns. Some took charge of
the livestock at the mission’s ranch, El Atascoso,
about 25 miles southwest of the mission.
The neophytes’ new roles and duties in the mission were very regimented. Everyone undertook
religious instruction daily. Church bells called
them to worship three times a day. Following
sunrise mass, families returned to their quarters
for corn atole (mush) and charque (jerky).
After breakfast, the men and boys worked in the
labores (fields), and in textile, tailor, carpenter,
and blacksmith shops. They also worked as masons, weavers, acequia (irrigation ditch) build-
The building of the limestone church, with its
extraordinary Spanish colonial Baroque architecture and statuary began in 1768 — the peak of
this mission’s development. At that time there
were 350 Indians residing in 84 two-room apartments. Based on Father Morfi’s description of
what he saw here when he visited in 1777, the
church of Mission San José came to be known as
the “Queen of the Missions.”
The women and girls prepared food, swept the
dirt floors, carded wool, and fished in the irrigation ditch outside the walls, in addition to raising
children. Everyone helped at harvest.
Father Ramírez gave the Indian children religious instruction. Spanish and Indian mission
officials met in the plaza to discuss community
affairs. The bells rang out at noon, calling everyone back to the church for prayers. The main
meal of the day was lunch, perhaps a bowl of
goat stew and fresh baked tortillas. The afternoon siesta followed the meal and most activity
subsided for several hours. Mounted Indian sentinels, however, continually kept guard outside
the walls.
Summoned by the bells, everyone returned to the
church for evening worship. After supper, recreational time for singing, games, dances, storytelling, and drama filled the evening. At dark, all
retired to their raised beds of buffalo hides. The
next work day began at sunrise as the mission
Indians were again called by the bells into the
church for mass.
A Community Continues
On February 29, 1824, Mission San José ceased
to be a mission. It was fully secularized that day
when Father Díaz complied with Mexican government orders. He turned church property over
to Chaplain Maynes and the mission Indians living here. After secularization, the mission was
neglected. In the years following, Benedictines,
Redemptorists, and Holy Cross Fathers ministered from the ruins. In 1931, the Franciscans
returned and live here today.
The 104 years that San José operated as a mission, over 2,000 Indians were baptized. Today,
families that worship at Mission San José continue in the faith taught to the mission Indians.
Many hearts and hands continue to restored this
“Queen of the Missions”. Today, the National
Park Service preserves and protects the living
heritage of the people transformed here and the
stone structures they built. This ensures that
future generations visiting these walls will see
how the past has shaped the present. The colorful pageantry of culture, art, food, celebrations,
and architecture we enjoy in San Antonio today
emerged from the blending of Spanish and Indian traditions that took place here at Mission
San José.
The Rose Window is known as the premier
example of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in
the United States. Its sculptor and significance
continue to be a mystery. Folklore credits Pedro
Huizar, a carpenter and surveyor from Spain,
with carving the famous window as a monument
to his sweetheart, Rosa. Tragically, on her way
from Spain to join him, Rosa was lost at sea.
Pedro then completed the window as a declaration of enduring love.
The Rose Window or
Rosa’s Window?
A less colorful, but more likely theory is that the
window was named after Saint Rose of Lima,
the first saint of the New World.
Mission San José Today
Grist Mill was built when inhabitants
began to eat more wheat than corn.
Exhibits
Granary was a warehouse
and surplus storage.
Completed ca. 1755
Restored 1930s
Mural
Operational 1794 and 1809
Reopened 2001
Convento provided a residence for
the missionary and lodging for visitors.
Completed ca. 1755
Addition ca. 1780s
Modified 1859-1868
Church was second
Rose
permanent church
Window
built by mission inhabitants.
Completed ca. 1782
Restored 1930s
Workshop
foundations
Indian Quarters
Protect these historic stone
structures by not climbing,
standing, or sitting on them.
Watch your head and feet –
walkways are uneven and
doorways are low.
(open to the public)
Bastion gave protection
Indian Quarters
were homes for the families
entering the mission.
Completed ca. 1755
Restored 1930s
against Indian attack.
Reconstructed 1930s
North
Visitor Center
Fireants and other stinging
insects are common. Yuccas
and other plants have sharp
points.
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