The Mission museum is the original 1809 adobe Convento, the former Padres’ living quarters.  It is the oldest standing building in Alameda county.  Its importance is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the California State Historic Landmarks Commission. 

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 the retaining wall below the adobe was 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 has repaired the mission clay tile roof, replaced missing and leaking rain gutters, and replaced the failing sections of the foundation and retaining wall.  Click here to see pictures of the foundation and retaining wall replacement, completed in February 2024. 

During June through August 2025 the parish will repair the museum building’s exterior walls.  This work could not begin until the foundation and retaining wall repairs were completed, as they were one cause for the cracks in the original adobe brick walls and their mud plaster and stucco coverings.  

The 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. Resurfacing the mud plaster and stucco exteriors will prevent water infiltration and further damage to the adobe brick walls.

We will also replace leaking and weather-damaged wood sash windows on the south side of the building and exterior wooden doors on the east side.

Thank you to our donors for helping us preserve our 1809 Mission Museum for future generations

The total cost of repairs to the Museum building is nearly $1 million. Including this year’s repairs, the parish has spent $650,000 for repairs from repurposed capital campaign donations and Mission anniversary fundraising.

As part of the Mission’s 225th anniversary in 2022 $100,000 was raised 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 have also 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.

Click HERE to become part of our history with a donation to this project.