Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo in San Antonio, Texas. The mission is a great place to visit when you are in the San Antonio area for several reasons. The best of which is that admission is free! There are very few places left where you can take the whole family at little to no cost. Founded in 1720, the mission is named for Saint Joseph and the Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo. Saint Joseph was the governor of the Province of Coahuila and Texas when the mission was founded in 1720. Built on the banks of the San Antonio river, it resides just south of mission San Antonio de Valero. The Mission San Antonio de Valero is better known today as the Alamo.
Mission San Jose, the queen of the missions
Mission San Jose is also referred to as the queen of the missions for several reasons. San Jose was the largest mission in the area, home to some 350 residents. Supported by its fields and livestock, it became a major social and cultural center. The giant construction of the stone mission was completed in 1782. The complex and its missionaries were a target for the Apache and Comanche indians. While these raids did result in the loss of livestock, the followers were well protected by the complexes giant walls.
Mission San Jose preservation
Falling into decay over the years, an effort to restore portions of the mission began in the 1920’s. Leading the restoration effort were the San Antonio Conservation Society and the Federal Government. The dome and bell tower which had deteriorated were reconstructed in 1937. Mission San Jose was separately declared both a state and national historic site in 1941. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was officially created in 1978. The Spanish colonial mission is now protected by the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the parish. Be sure to visit the mission on a Sunday as we did. The church is still active as a Catholic parish.
