Trip to the Mission of San Jose

This past weekend a few friends and I took a trip to San Antonio, Texas. One of our first stops was at the Mission of San Jose. Upon arrival the first structure we saw was the San Jose church placed at the heart of the mission, which rose higher than any structure inside of the mission including the surrounding fort walls. A layout similar to that of Old World Spain, which the Spanish friars had intended to replicate. The San Jose Church with its intricate design, and imposing height, is impossible to be described as anything less than impressive. The Mission of San Jose was established in 1720 named after Saint Joseph, and restructured in the 1930's by the Works Progressive Administration.

(Left): Up close picture of carving detail on the main entrance of the Mission of San Jose Church (Right): Image of the chipping paint on the bottom section of the bell tower

In the New World Spanish missions tended to take on a likeness of other Spanish holding missions, this fact is due the notion that the churches were decorated by artist from the same area. Often times friars commissioned artist from Mexico City to decorate their mission churches. For example Mission of Santa Clara in California has similar carving designs as the Mission of San Jose in Texas. As a way to display the power and influence the church had the friars worked on elaborating the appearance of the building, thus showcasing the missionaries status to both the outside native Indians, and Neophyte (native Indians newly converted missionaries). An inexpensive method of achieving the decorative appearance was paint. In the Mission of San Jose the original paint can still be found on the wall of the bell tower, its chipping paint reveals that the building was once all white with red and blue geometric shapes to add a sense of grandeur to the church.

Because there was far more neophytes in the mission than missionaries, the friars developed a social hierarchy based on class where Neophytes challenged other Neophytes for higher-level position. In doing this the friars tightened their claim as rulers of the missions while successfully avoided direct conflict with the neophytes. In gaining the favor of the friars, neophytes in return received luxuries such as clothes, food and spices, bead work, candles, and better homes.

Image of the missionaries hallway right next to the outdoor patio

 Image of the missionaries hall leading to a side entrance into the church

On the right side of the church rest a patio complete with a full garden; grand arch halls, and wide arch doorways all which served as the missionaries living quarters. The missionaries enjoyed spacious bedrooms with tall ceilings, and a private kitchen off the end of the hall. In contrast the Neophytes dwelled in simplistic quarters built along the outer walls of the mission with small cramped rooms with small windows making it hot in the Texas heat. No doubt the prospect of moving higher in the missionary social order was enticing for the Neophytes.

Image of a recreation of the Neophytes living quarters

          It was interesting to get a glimpse of how life on the mission during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were like. As a young aspiring historian most of the time I don't get the chance to actually see the history that I study, to actually hold a tangible artifact in my hand. However, when I took this trip I was deeply gratified at the prospect of running my fingers across the rough stone work of the mission. To piece together different aspects of life by the people of the mission, and create my own idea. The Mission of San Jose is an excellent place to visit in the summer, and I recommend it for a summer trip even if you're just passing through.