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Mission San José — Queen of the San Antonio Missions
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo
My husband and I have enjoyed exploring the Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. Mission San José is our top choice among them in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Among all the missions, San José impresses us the most with its size and completeness, offering a vivid portrayal of the residents’ way of life and work.
The intricate Spanish Baroque architecture is impressive. The beautiful structure underwent reconstruction and restoration, thanks to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s, after it had fallen into disrepair and suffered from vandalism. The WPA, a governmental agency, undertook similar projects across the United States following the Great Depression.
Visitors to this active Roman Catholic parish are welcome to attend masses. The parish is open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and special services such as weddings or funerals.
In the visitor center, people can watch the film “Gente de Razon” (People of Reason) every half-hour in Spanish or English. Visitors can visit the visitor center and museum, and tour the…
