Museum Repair ProjectPreserving our past for future generations
Cracks and holes in the rock retaining wall and adobe exterior wall on the west side of the building were discovered in 2020. Investigation by a team of structural and geotechnical engineers in 2021 determined the soil was settling beneath the southern portion of the building and that the retaining in front of the building was also sinking and moving outward towards Mission Blvd. This movement created exterior and interior cracks in the foundation, retaining wall and adobe brick. It was also causing the exterior stucco and original mud plaster to spall off, exposing the underlying adobe to water damage.
The engineering studies concluded the building was in danger of partial collapse in the event of a moderate earthquake on the nearby Hayward fault or a major earthquake on another Bay Area fault. Beginning in 2022 the parish repaired the mission clay tile roof, replaced missing and leaking rain gutters, and in 2023 began replacement of the failing sections of the foundation and retaining wall.
The foundation repairs and retaining wall replacement were completed in February 2024. During the summer of 2025 the parish repaired the museum building’s exterior walls. This work could not begin until the foundation and retaining wall repairs were completed, as they were one of the causes for the cracks in the original adobe brick walls and their mud plaster and stucco coverings. Cracked and spalling mud plaster and stucco surfaces provide a path for water intrusion leading to more cracking and spalling and eventual erosion of the underlying original adobe brick.
The mud plaster and stucco exteriors were then repainted to prevent water infiltration and further damage to the adobe brick walls. We also replaced leaking and weather-damaged wood sash windows on the south side of the building and the exterior wooden doors on the east side.
The Museum building exterior wall repairs and repainting was completed in July 2025.
The total cost of the foundation and exterior wall repairs to the Museum building from 2020 to 2025 was just over $1 million. We received $321,000 in grants for repairs, including $180,206 from the Committee for the Restoration of Mission San Jose, $50,000 from the Fremont Bank Foundation, $50,000 from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation, $25,000 from Alameda County, and $16,165 from the California Missions Foundation. The parish contributed the remaining funds from repurposed capital campaign donations and Mission anniversary fundraising. The Mission’s 225th anniversary in 2022 raised $100,000 towards the cost of repairs. Additional donations were raised during the 226th, 227th, and 228th Mission anniversary celebrations, including over $65,000 in June 2025. We are grateful for the generosity of our parishioners and donors. Thank you for helping us preserve an important part of California and parish history. |
Our Mission San José Museum building is the original Mission Convento, built in 1809 as the living quarters for the Franciscan Missionaries. A tremendous earthquake in 1868 on the Hayward Fault destroyed the original adobe Mission church and all the other mission complex buildings except for the Convento. It is the oldest standing adobe building in Alameda county. Its importance is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the California State Historic Landmarks Commission. 
