Mission Trail Today - The California Missions

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Mission Trail Today

All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2013.

Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.


#14, San José
Founded June 11, 1797
by Father Fermin Lasuen
in Fremont

Updated
Page

Personal Observations

I have a very fuzzy memory of seeing the Mission San José Convento many years ago. On December 26, 2003, my wife and I visited San José for my first official visit. It was decorated for Christmas. Mission San Jose is lcated in the city of Fremont, some distance north of the City of San Jose. The address is 43300 Mission Boulevard; Fremont, California.


Photo-Art
Mission Art & Photo-Art

History

The first mission church was built a short distance north of the present site along with other temporary thatched-roof buildings. The first permanent church was completed in 1809. This adobe church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1868. A wooden church, looking very different from the adobe church, was built on the same site in 1869. A Victorian rectory was built between the wooden church and the last remnant of the adobe convento. In 1979, the rectory was removed and in 1982, the wooden church was sold for a dollar and moved to the nearby community of Burlingame. This cleared the way in 1984 & 5 to reconstruct the adobe church as closely as possible to the original - considered the most authentic reproductions of all the California missions. Today when you visit Mission San José, you will see the reproduction adobe church and about half of the original adobe convento. The old cemetery is accessible through the church.

When the mission was first established, there were hostilities with the native population and convesions were slow. In time, San José had more converts than any other Northern California mission.

As with all the missions, agriculture was important to Mission San José. In addition to 20,000 heads of cattle and sheep, fruits, wheat, and corn were produced here.

Address and Directions

43300 Mission Blvd at Washington Blvd
Fremont California 94539

Mailing address:
PO Box 3159
Fremont, California 94539

Photography Gallery

Exterior
Front exterior of church. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Interior
Church interior. Note the Christmas trees. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Front of Church
Front exterior of church. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Front of Church
Front exterior of church. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Bell Tower
Front exterior of church, detail of bell tower. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Buttress
Front exterior of church, detail of buttress. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Front of Church and Convento
Front of church and Convento. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Front of Church and Convento
Front of church and Convento. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Front of Church
Front of church. Photo date: 12-26-03.

Doors
Doors. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Museum
Museum. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Church
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Church
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Church
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Church
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Plaza
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Plaza
Plaza side. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Church Interior
Church interior. Photo date: 12-26-03.

Cemetery
Cemetery and church. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Cemetery
Cemetery side door to church. Note the skull and cross-bones above the door as a symble of a cemetery. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Cemetery
Cemetery and church. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Bell Tower
Bell Tower. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Cemetery
Cemetery. Photo date: 12-26-03.
Cemetery
Cemetery. Photo date: 12-26-03.

Sources:


This web site was created because of my love and respect for the California Missions. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ... donate

This page last updated 7-30-13

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003 - 2013, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

Web Design This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com. Kesign Design Consulting

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Contact | Ken Larson | Kesign Design Consulting | K L Images | Places Earth