San Jose Mission, San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas, brings the Alamo into my mind. Well, this post is not about that mission, whose proper name is Mission San Antonio de Valero. It was indeed the first Franciscan mission in 1718 but by 1731 there were four more plus a presidio. Among these was Mission San Jose. It is this one which has been called "Queen of the  Missions" - the largest and since restoration in the 1930s, the mosr impressive. Since foundation in 1820 over the next 104 years over 2000 indigenous people were baptised there.

The present church was built of local limestone 1768-82 at the heyday of the life of the mission with about 350 indigenoous people living in 84 two-roomed appartments. Life was regimented and the inhabitants exchanged the uncertainties of the open, encroachment by Apaches  for agricultural pursuits and trades like carpenter, tailoring, maasonas, weavers and more. Women prepatred food, looked after famioy, cleaned up and fished. Everyone helped at harvest time. Bells summoned them to worship three times a day. Evenings may have been time for music. 

The missionaries planned to turn over the run were ning of the missions to the inhabitants when  they were ready and this process began in 1793. After Mexico got independence from Spain in 1821 change occurred quickly and the missions were secularised in 1824.Former living quarters declined over the century and the restorations we see today are primarily from the 1920s and beyond. By the 1870s the dome and roof of the church had collapsed. THe front of the church is original although some statues are reconstructions.

The Church is famous for its Baroque Spanish colonial features. Its facade reminds us of churches in Mexico and acts as a large promotional board for the Catholic faith. At the top is the Cross of Jesus, St Joseph holding the infant Jedsus, Saint Dominic and St Francis and Our Lady, St Joachim and St Anne holding infant Mary. The Rose window in the south wall of the sacristy dates from 1775. It is often credited to Pedro Huizar, a carpenter as a monument to his sweetheart Rosa. The story goes that she got lost at sea, coming frm DSpain and Pedro    completed the window as a monument. Perhaps instead it was carved in honour of Saint Rosa of Lima.

Fray Juan Agustin Morfi visited in 1777 noted good singing by the inhabitants, and harp, violin and guitar players. Music for Mass might have found 4-8 singers 1-2 violins harp guitar, organ ??and choir in a  loft. Music probably influenced by practice in Mexico. This Mass setting by Manuel de Sumaya gives some idea of the style.

Photos by Stephen L Markos (San Antonio Missions National Historical Park site).