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Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo
"Queen of the Missions"
Mission San José San Antonio.JPG
The church of Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo
Religion
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Location
Location San Antonio, Texas, United States
Architecture
Architectural style Spanish Colonial
Groundbreaking Founded 1720; Work began in 1768
Completed 1782
Criteria Cultural: (ii)
Designated 2015 (39th session)
Parent listing San Antonio Missions
Reference no. 1466-003
State Party  United States
Region Europe and North America

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is a historic Catholic mission located in San Antonio, Texas. It is often called the "Queen of the Missions" because it was the largest and most beautiful mission in the area. This important place was named partly after the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo.

History of Mission San José

San Jose Mission, San Antonio, TX
Arched exterior of San José Mission Church

Mission San José was started on February 23, 1720. It was built because another mission nearby, Mission San Antonio de Valero (which is now The Alamo), became too crowded. Many Native Americans from East Texas needed a new home.

Father Antonio Margil got permission to build this new mission. It was about 5 miles (8 km) south of Mission San Antonio de Valero. Like the other missions, San José was a place for the Coahuiltecan Native Americans. Here, they learned about the Catholic faith and new ways of life.

Building the Mission

At first, the buildings were simple. They were made from brush, straw, and mud. But soon, people built much stronger stone structures. These included rooms for guests, offices, a dining area, and a pantry.

A strong outer wall was built around the main part of the mission. Inside these walls, there were rooms for about 350 Native Americans. This made the mission a safe and busy community.

A new church was built in 1768 using local limestone. This church is still standing today.

Mission Life Ends

Over time, the mission's purpose changed. In 1794, the mission lands were given to the Native Americans who lived there. Official mission activities stopped in 1824.

After the mission closed, its buildings were used by different people. Soldiers, homeless people, and even bandits lived there.

Restoring the Mission

In 1933, work began to rebuild and fix up the mission grounds. Groups like the Civil Works Administration helped with the labor. Money for this restoration came from the United States government. This funding was part of the Texas Centennial Exposition held in Dallas in 1936.

Thanks to these efforts, the mission walls and the Native American living quarters were rebuilt. The granary, which was used to store grain, was also repaired.

Features of the Church

Indian Quarters at the Mission San Jose
Indian Quarters at the Mission San Jose

The front of the church is very detailed. At the very top, you can see a cross, which represents Jesus Christ. Below that is a statue of St. Joseph (San José) holding the baby Jesus. You can also see statues of St. Dominic and St. Francis.

Further down, there is a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the Virgin Mary). At the bottom, you'll find St. Joachim and St. Anne holding the infant Mary.

The Rose Window

The Rose Window at Mission San Jose
The Rose Window ("La Ventana de Rosa")

On the south wall of the church, there is a famous window called the Rose Window. It is also known as "La Ventana de Rosa." No one knows for sure who carved this beautiful window or why.

One popular story says that a Spanish artist named Pedro Huizar carved it in 1775. The legend says he dedicated it to his sweetheart, Rosa. She was traveling from Spain to meet him but sadly died at sea. The Rose Window is a great example of Baroque architecture in America.

Mission San José Today

Today, Mission San José is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. In 2015, it became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This means it is a very important place for everyone in the world to protect. Other San Antonio missions, like The Alamo and Mission Concepción, are also part of this World Heritage Site.

The mission is still an active church today. It has a priest and continues to serve its community.

See also

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