Mission San Jose

I’m currently living only about 15 miles north of this mission, but in the years I’ve been here, I’ve never before stopped for a visit. Today, my son and I were down this way, and we took the time to stop.

It’s a beautiful building, and the museum is small, but interesting. The church is gorgeous, and my son and I both enjoyed wandering through the cemetery, looking at gravestones, maybe of which bear names which are familiar to anyone living in this area: Livermore, Bernal, Vallejo. It was worth a visit.

Despite what many people think, Mission San Jose is NOT in San Jose, but in Fremont, California. Fremont is about 20 miles Northeast of San Jose. The nearest mission to the city of San Jose is actually Mission Santa Clara which is located on the campus of Santa Clara University. Anyone can visit, however, despite the fact that it’s on a college campus.

I went to Mission San Jose High School and grew up in Fremont for almost my entire life. Whenever I tell people what high school I went to, they often assume I’m from San Jose. I now go to Santa Clara University and live in Santa Clara, so now I’m closer to San Jose, at least.

Mission San Jose was named this before the city of San Jose was created. It is Mission St. Joseph, in English, and is located right by St. Joseph’s Church in Fremont. For some reason, Fremont was not named San Jose, and San Jose was instead (too bad – I like the name San Jose better than Fremont :D).