Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Texas San Antonio Mission San Jose
AO Edited

Mission San Jose

Three hundred years of preserved Spanish colonial history in San Antonio.

San Antonio, Texas

Added By
Madiha Bataineh
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  andressrr91 / Atlas Obscura User
  andressrr91 / Atlas Obscura User
  knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
Mission San Jose has been subject to graffiti for literally centuries. Notice the brands of local ranchers.   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
The exterior of Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
The exterior of Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
The interior of Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas (United States).   Michael Barera / Atlas Obscura User
The cloisters of Mission San Jose were never finished prior to secularization.   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
  cblakewest / Atlas Obscura User
The facade of the church after restoration.   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
  User submitted
  User submitted
  User submitted
  User submitted
  User submitted
  User submitted
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
Rose window   Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
  Allison / Atlas Obscura User
San Jose Mission   michaelamiller / Atlas Obscura User
  knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
  knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
San Jose in bloom   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
Roses of San Jose   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Mission San Jose has been subject to graffiti for literally centuries.   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
Prickly porch   cblakewest / Atlas Obscura User
  James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  michaelamiller / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  michaelamiller / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
05/07/22   Kier95 / Atlas Obscura User
San Jose Cloisters   Springer / Atlas Obscura User
3-8-25   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
  Myolliefont / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Mission San Jose was established in 1720 by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus, at which time it sustained over 300 inhabitants. It quickly became the largest Texas Mission, and was often referred to as the “Queen of the Missions.” (Spanish missions were not churches, but whole communities, with the church at its core.)

Mission San Jose’s inhabitants worked and lived there and completed the complex in 1782. Although the mission stopped operating in 1824, it baptized over 2,000 Indians.

Today, Mission San Jose is still an active parish and holds open mass on Sundays. It is maintained by the National Park Service and has been so well preserved that it shows visitors how missions might have looked over 250 years ago.

Although the church was not the sole function of the missions, it was its focus, and among the most notable features of the structures on site are the church’s carvings and famous “Rose Window,” considered one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country.

Other notable features of the Mission’s area include the stairway to the church bell tower and choir loft: each of the twenty-five steps was hand-carved from a single live-oak log and constructed without nails or pegs. The grounds also hold a granary supported by flying buttresses, a gristmill, restored defensive walls and living quarters.

In 1941, Mission San Jose was declared a State Historic Site and also a National Historic Site. The restored gristmill is the oldest mill in the state of Texas.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Sacred Spaces Churches Architecture

Community Contributors

Added By

Madiha Bataineh

Edited By

Edward Denny, Allison, James Ricci, notoriousFIG...

  • Edward Denny
  • Allison
  • James Ricci
  • notoriousFIG
  • cblakewest
  • knoxium
  • Springer
  • andressrr91
  • Michael Barera
  • michaelamiller
  • Darrell Powers
  • Myolliefont
  • Kier95
  • delabelladesigns

Published

November 10, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • National Park Service: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/saan/
  • Mission San Jose: http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors/play/attraction-details/index.aspx?id=2101
  • Virtual Tourist: Mission San Jose: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Texas/San_Antonio-880792/Things_To_Do-San_Antonio-Mission_San_Jose-BR-2.html
Mission San Jose
6701 San Jose Dr.
San Antonio, Texas, 78214
United States
29.361394, -98.478347
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Hot Wells Hotel and Spa

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Rube Waddell's Grave

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Espada Aqueduct

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Hot Wells Hotel and Spa

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Rube Waddell's Grave

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Espada Aqueduct

San Antonio, Texas

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Antonio

San Antonio

Texas

Places 41
Stories 7

Related Stories and Lists

Video: The Majesty of San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

Podcast

Sponsored by Visit San Antonio

15 Places to Celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Ascoli Piceno, Italy

    Basilica di San Frances Musical Pillars

    These pillars at the main entrance of this church are actually a hidden musical instrument.

  • Drumheller, Alberta

    The Little Church

    A six-person chapel in the middle of Alberta's badlands.

  • Front view.

    Nafplio, Greece

    Church of Agioi Pantes

    A staircase made of gravestones leads up to this church built into a giant rock.

  • Église du Bon-Pasteur

    Lyon, France

    Église du Bon-Pasteur

    This abandoned church in central Lyon is missing its front stairs.

  • Templo del Señor de los Rayos.

    Aguascalientes, Mexico

    Templo del Señor de los Rayos (Temple of the Lord of the Rays)

    The history of this futuristic crypt-turned-temple is as curious as its facade.

  • View of the church and its spire.

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Church of Our Saviour

    Climb to the top of its spiral spire for spectacular views of Copenhagen.

  • Normanton Church.

    Normanton, England

    Normanton Church

    The sanctuary seems to either float atop the water or sink into the dirt, depending on the water level.

  • Vals, France

    Église Notre-Dame de Vals (Church of Our Lady of Vals)

    A medieval church built into an ancient cave.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.