Missions of California

Founded by Father Fermin de Lasuen on June 11, 1797, Mission San José was 14th in the 21 mission chain. It was named for the earthly father of Jesus, St. Joseph.

Conversion of the local Ohlone Indians was slow, but eventually Mission San José had more converts than any other mission, with over 6000 baptisms recorded. Fertile land allowed the mission to excel at fruit and olive production, and by 1831 over 38,000 head of livestock roamed mission lands.

Father Narciso Duran was assigned to the mission in 1806. His success as a music master brought acclaim to the mission after he created a 30-piece orchestra, complete with striking uniforms.

After secularization the mission became a general store, saloon and hotel. In 1853 it became the parish church. When an 1868 earthquake destroyed the mission, a small wooden church was built and used for over 100 years. In 1985 a near perfect replica of the original church was completed, and today it serves as a local parish church.