The large colorful stained glass windows of St. Joseph Basilica are interesting examples of Christian iconography, as well as a kind of window into the art history of the early twentieth century in America. The original Gothic church in Alameda, that dated back to the latter half of the nineteenth century, burned to the ground in 1919. Back then the church primarily served Alameda’s Irish community and it would appear that they lost little time in rebuilding. The new church was built in California Mission style and the new windows reflected a mixture of traditional Catholic themes as well as a hint of the liturgical reform movement that had been launched by Pope Pius X a decade earlier.

Here to discover more of the beautiful windows...

Additional Resources:
ALAMEDA ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Link here.