Mission San Jose

 (1797-1834) - A Spanish mission established in 1797 by Father Fermin Lasuen in present day Fremont, Alameda County, California. Named for Saint Joseph. Secularized in 1834. Sometimes known as Mission San Jose de Guadalupe.

The Spanish Period (1769-1821)
The Mission San Jose was founded on 11 Jun 1797, as the 14th of twenty-one missions founded in California. The mission was associated with the Presidio of San Francisco which eventually provided military support for all six missions in the San Francisco area.

Mission San Jose was constructed by already converted Indians from nearby Mission Santa Clara under the supervision of Spanish missionaries and overseers. The number of native converts rose to about 277 in 1800 and by 1825 the population was 1,796 in spite of a measles epidemic in 1806 that wiped out one-quarter of the population. The first adobe Mission church was dedicated on 22 Apr 1809.

Mexican Period (1822-1846)
Mission San Jose prospered under Mexican rule and became one of the most prosperous in California. In 1833 secularization became law and the mission land was gradually distributed to private interests. The last priest left the mission in 1842 and the mission itself was sold to private owners in 1845.

The American Period (1846-Present)


The Mission was used as a general store, saloon and hotel during the early California Gold Rush days and in 1853 the mission church building became the local parish church.

Current Status
Restored mission chapel and museum in Fremont, Alameda County, California.

Sources:

Links:
 * Wkipedia - Mission San Jose
 * Church Webside