SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Park Rangers at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are asking for help from the public on find those responsible for vandalism to San Jose.
Park officials report the vandalism happened on June 28. The person tried to break into the San Jose Church, causing damage to the historic structure. They also caused damage to the church's historic Rose Window.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, and its cultural significance reaches around the world. The park is an example of the interweaving of Spanish and indigenous cultures.
The Rose Window is located on the south wall of the church sacristy. The window is described as the site where the Host was shown to gathered Mission celebrants during the Feast of Pentecost.
Sculpted in 1775, the Rose Window is considered to be one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in North America, according to the missions. Its sculptor and significance continue to be a mystery.
Folklore credits Pedro Huizar, a carpenter and surveyor from Spain, with carving the famous window as a monument to his sweetheart, Rosa. Tragically, on her way from Spain to join him, Rosa was lost at sea. Pedro then completed the window as a declaration of enduring love.
Jim Sanchez said he chairs the parish council of the church.
“There has been a lot of vandalism in the area. I don't understand why," he said. "They seem to be taking little minor stuff, flower pots. Taking out plants.”
The man who grew up in the area and has cherished his home parish said understanding this level of meanness is baffling.
“I don't understand why they do that. I guess out of sheer meanness. Whatever it could be or maybe people are just looking for something to sell. I know it's hard times for a lot of people so I guess they are just looking for things to sell.”
Sanchez said they are a helpful church community and try to respond to needs of everyone in the area.
“We're here to help people. We're trying to help them spiritually and we're trying to help them in any other way we can as people of God, right? So I wish we could break that trend. If we could talk to these people, maybe we could help them somehow,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said beyond San Jose, he has faith in the social safety net that caring San Antonians provide.
“Just come to church and maybe we can help them with their problem or at least point them in the right direction or an agency that can them because there's a lot in San Antonio, a lot of people are willing to help. It's part of San Antonio. That's what San Antonio does,” Sanchez said.
Calling the continuing problem disheartening, where they are now tasked with coming up with more intensive security measures, Sanchez said “It breaks my heart that they don't believe in the Rose Window and the history of it and the history of the mission and how long this parish has been here in San Antonio. It's the Queen of the Missions and a World Heritage site and one of those things we cherish here in San Antonio.”
If you have information that could help identify those responsible for these acts of vandalism, the park asks you to please submit a tip. You can remain anonymous.
- CALL or TEXT the NPS-wide Tip Line 888-653-0009
- ONLINE form go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
- EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov
- EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1