Cathedral Timeline 

Significant dates in the history of Saint Joseph Church:

1777 -- El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalup founded

1803 -- First Saint Joseph Church built at the corner of San Fernando and Market Streets and administered by Franciscan priests.

1818 -- Earthquake cracks walls

1822 -- Severe earthquake partially damages roof

1835 -- Building begins on second adobe structure

1846 -- Second church is blessed

1851 -- Archbishop Alemany entrusts parish to Jesuit Fathers

1868 -- Severe earthquake damages church

1869 -- Construction begins on third church

1871 -- Bell is installed

1875 -- Third church is destroyed by fire

1875 -- Temporary church built on corner of San Pedro and San Fernando streets

1876 -- On Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19th, cornerstone is laid for 5th church (4th church on same site)

1877 -- Dedication of Fifth and present structure, April 22

1884 -- Portico is completed

1885 -- Soaring dome completed

1886 -- Odell pipe organ installed

1927 -- Golden Jubilee (present church)

1928 -- Mural work of Italian artist Father Luigi Sciocchetti is completed

1952 -- Major restoration project for 75th anniversary

1977 -- Centennial celebration of present church, bi-centennial of San Jose

1981 -- Inauguaration of the Diocese of San Jose

1985 -- Vatican approves Saint Joseph as cathedral of the Diocese of San Jose, pending restoration

1990 -- Restoration completed and Saint Joseph's dedicated as a Cathedral

1997 -- Saint Joseph Cathedral receives Basilica status from the Vatican

2003 - Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph commemorates its Bicentennial