St Joseph's Mission Church
Established in 1888, shortly after Soboba was designated by the government as an Indian Reservation, St. Joseph's Church has been a center of religious services over the decades. Arguably the most active of the Indian mission churches in the San Bernardino Diocese, it was served by various priests, notably those from religious orders, whose ministry received little or no recompense from the Mission itself.
The original wooden building was destroyed by fire shortly after it was erected, but the people themselves, under the direction of one of the priests, rebuilt it around 1910‐11. They dedicated a day of work a week, or the salary equivalent, to reconstruct this religious center which they loved. This love has been maintained over the years, and the Mission is not just a landmark, but a beloved structure, reminiscent of so many of the elders and ancestors of former times. Over the years various changes have occurred in the building and its surroundings. The interior flooring was redone, the wooden plank benches replaced with more comfortable and modern ones, and beautiful stained glass windows were added. The most notable of these is the recent one placed over the altar. Its design was created with ideas presented by the Indian people, and includes the eagle, a bird sacred because of its ability to fly so high, close to Creator and so to carry prayer to God.
The Eagle is Sacred -- the carrier of
our prayers to God.
The smoke from the sage represents
our prayers arising.
The acorns symbolize the meal we celebrate,
and the gourd-rattle is the music of
our songs to God.