The Mission San Jose del Cabo Anuiti was established in 1730 by Father Nicholas Tamaral as part of the Jesuit colonization of the peninsula of Baja California.

The missionaries moved the building site on several occasions in an attempt to flee from epidemics and mosquito infestations, while securing a source of fresh water. Early constructions were simple structures of adobe, sticks and palm fronds, all of which were vulnerable to storm damage.

The region’s Pericu Indians sacked and destroyed the four southern missions, including the Mission of San Jose, in 1734.

During the uprising, Father Tamaral was murdered with great cruelty, as depicted on the tile mural above the church’s outside entrance.

The Jesuits left the peninsula in 1768, to be replaced by the Franciscans, and then by the Dominicans. The Combonian missionaries served the Mission of San Jose from 1948 to 1986. Since then, the church has been in the hands of diocesan clergy.

Today’s twin-towered church was built in 1932, at the traditional location on the plaza long occupied by the Mission of San Jose.