Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo: Evolution 1797–1830

Mission San José (San Antonio, TX) transformed from a rough frontier outpost to a substantial stone complex before secularization. Archaeological and documentary records reveal three key phases:

1797: The Adobe Founding

• Walls: 2–3 ft thick adobe.
• Roof: Thatch.
• No tower, belfry, sacristy, corridors (corredores), or separate kitchen/storage.
• Layout: Quadrangle. Two rooms east of church: priests' quarters + Fr. Durán's library.
• Orchard east, vineyard south (planted 1795).

1812: Institutional Growth

• Tower & belfry added to church.
• Sacristy added.
• Priests' quarters enlarged.
• Corredores (covered walkways) built around quadrangle.
• Separate kitchen & storage structures constructed.

1820–1824: Earthquake & Reconstruction

• 1820: Major quake damaged church & buildings.
• 1823–24: Repairs + new tile roof (replaced thatch), stuccoed façade, new furnishings (altar, pulpit, baptismal font).

1830: Secularization & Decline

• Mexican government secularizes missions.
• Buildings deteriorate; lands privatized.
• Church remains active parish; convent ruins stabilize later.

Today

Restored 1930s (WPA) + 2000s. Part of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (UNESCO World Heritage). The "Queen of the Missions" shows the full arc: adobe simplicity → stone permanence → ruin → restoration.