The story of Saint Joseph’s began in 1777 when Mission Santa Clara was founded and the adjacent Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe became the first civil settlement in Alta California.
A small adobe church was established in the village and dedicated to Saint Joseph in 1803, making it the first parish in California.
Significant dates in the history of St. Joseph Church:
1777
El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe founded
1803
First St. Joseph Church built at the corner of San Fernando and Market Streets and administered by Franciscan priests
1818
Earthquakes crack 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 priests
1868
Severe earthquake damages church
1869
Construction begins on third church
1875
Third church is destroyed by fire
1875
Temporary church built on the corner of San Pedro and San Fernando Streets
1876
Cornerstone is laid for fifth and present church (fourth church on site), March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph
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 of existing 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; Bicentennial of San Jose
1981
Inauguration of the Diocese of San Jose
1985
Vatican approves St. Joseph Church as Cathedral of the Diocese of San Jose, pending restoration 1990 Restoration completed and St. Joseph is dedicated as a Cathedral
1997
Saint Joseph Cathedral receives Basilica status from the Vatican
2003
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph commemorates its Bicentennial
