Guadalupe Mission of San Jose

The chapel this bronze describes arrived in pieces. It was built as the church of St. Martin of Tours parish on San Jose's west side, in 1911 or 1914 by different accounts, and in 1953 it was sawed in half and trucked to Mayfair, the barrio then called Sal Si Puedes, "get out if you can." History San José credits Chávez and his brother with helping move it. In 1974 it was moved again, about 300 yards, to become the parish hall on this campus. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2016.

What the plaque says

Guadalupe Mission of San Jose Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Chapel was established in 1953 by a Spanish-speaking community of Catholic faithful led by Father Donald McDonnell, a member of the San Francisco Archdiocese's "Spanish Mission Band." Here, Father McDonnell befriended a young César Chávez and introduced him to a universe of writings about spirituality, labor rights, human rights, and social justice. Father McDonnell also introduced Chávez to Fred Ross, and the chapel became an important home for their work with the Community Service Organization. Later renamed McDonnell Hall, Guadalupe Mission Chapel provided a foundation for Chávez's work with Dolores Huerta to co-found the United Farm Workers Union and maintains its historic association with Chávez, the UFW, immigrants, and all who are poor in spirit. California Registered Landmark No. 1049 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Bishop Patrick J. McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Nora Campos. September 14, 2014

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Edwin Markham Home — 2.4 mi
• First Normal School — 2.5 mi
• Site of World's First Broadcasting Station — 2.8 mi
• Site of California's First State Capitol — 2.8 mi