Mission San Jose and Museum

Old Mission San Jose Re-Opens to Visitors. Old Mission San Jose is again offering public tours. Mission docents will lead small cohorts of ten (10) or less on a 1-hour tour of the Spanish Jardin Garden, the beautiful Mission Church interior, and the historic Cemetery. Visitors will hear fascinating stories about the Mission’s over 200-year history. Reservations must be made through the website and pre-paid before the Guided Tour is confirmed. All Alameda County and CDC guidelines will be observed. Please note that the Gift Shop and Museum are not open, and self-guided tours are not yet available. See more at https://missionsanjose.org.

DID YOU KNOW? The grave of Robert Livermore (1799-1858) for whom the city of Livermore is named, is located inside Mission San Jose’s Church. After the 1868 earthquake, a Gothic Church was built over what was left of the original foundation. Livermore’s grave marker was covered and remained hidden for over 100 years. It was discovered in 1981 when the Gothic Church was moved for the reconstruction of the Mission Church, to the delight of archaeologists.

DID YOU KNOW? Leveraging their natural talent for music, Franciscan Father Narciso Duran established a thirty-piece Native Californian orchestra at Mission San Jose in the early 1800s. An entry from his writings says, In the Mission, they play 15 violins and 2 violoncellos. Duran also petitioned his superiors multiple times for an organ, but it never came. You can see the magnificent replica, based on his specifications, for the organ that never came in the Old Mission San Jose Church. Learn more at missionsanjose.org

DID YOU KNOW? Many locals know that Old Mission San Jose was founded by Franciscan Father Fermin de Lasuen in 1797. But did you know the site was initially explored in 1795 by Second Lieutenant Hermenegildo Sal from the San Francisco Presidio and Franciscan Father Antonio Danti from Mission San Francisco de Asis? They recommended the site for its proximity to water, good soil, and plenty of room for farming and grazing animals, and even a hot spring! Learn more at missionsanjose.org.

Old Mission San Jose would like to invite the community to witness the AUTUMNAL SOLAR ILLUMINATION on October 4th, a unique and captivating illumination of the main altar near sunset. A perfectly aligned shaft of light will enter from the rear window of the Mission Church and transverse the full length of the church, showering the gilded tabernacle in dazzling light. This event will be live-streamed and preceded by an engaging lecture along with organ music by Music Director, Ron McKean! Dr. Ruben Mendoza of California State University Monterey Bay will speak on the Spanish mission’s centuries-old hidden secrets of astronomy and indigenous people’s belief in sun worship. More info at http://missionsanjose.

Accepting a grant from Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce President, Esther Gonzales. And thank you to members of the local community for their continued support.

These ancient grapes are thriving at Old Mission San Jose. They were first introduced to Alta (northern) California by the Spanish in the 1770s. They are European grape stock, Vitis vinifera. We believe our strain is ‘Listan Prieto’ also called the ‘Mission’ strain. Besides its use for juice and wine, a sweet dessert wine called ‘Angelica’ was made by blending ‘Mission’ varietal grape wine (or purportedly just fresh juice) with ‘Mission’ grape brandy. (Source: Old Mission Santa Barbara)

Mission San Jose decked out for Fremont's 4th of July "Porch Parade". God Bless America!

June 11 is the 223rd anniversary of the Founding of Old Mission San Jose. Read a historic account of the Founding in 1797 and a description of this area at that time on the Mission San Jose website at http://missionsanjose.org

A welcome opportunity to hear some beautiful music. Listen and enjoy in the solace of the Old Mission.

Mother's Day at the Mission Join us for a special Mass from Old Mission San Jose, live-streamed on Mother's Day, Sunday May 10 at 11AM http://saintjosephmsj.org/ or at https://www.youtube.com/results. Please share this post.

Happy Easter to all! Enjoy this selection of music performed on our Rosales organ, courtesy of St. Joseph music director, Ronald McKean.

Effective March 16, 2020 Mission San Jose is closed due to precaution guidelines for COVID-19

A twice yearly altar illumination at Mission San Jose happens when the setting sun shines through main doors and west-facing window. Watch for public event this coming October. More info: https://www.smithsonianmag.com//how-sun-illuminates-spani/

Come see what life in historic Mission San Jose was like 200+ years ago. It's a beautiful place to be preserved and cherished for all current and future generations.

Come this Sunday, March 8 at 1PM for Old Mission San Jose's docent-led tour that includes 18th century Spanish music played on the rare and historic Rosales Opus 14 organ. Call the Gift Shop at (510) 657-1797 x100 for reservations.