San José – Ex Hacienda de Casa Blanca

The Chapel of San José is located on what was once ‘la Hacienda de San Bartolo,’ one of the most significant and largest estates in the area, which bordered ‘la Hacienda de Bachimba.’ The hacienda was built on land donated by Sergeant Trasviña y Retes. It was divided into four parts by the enactment of the ‘Ley de Desamortización’ or ‘Manos Muertas’ in 1856. One of its sections was named Hacienda Casa Blanca, where the Chapel of San José would later be erected.

The construction of the chapel began in 1883, commissioned by the landowner and owner of Casa Blanca, Jesús María Ortiz. The construction was completed in 1886, after nearly four years, with a built area of approximately 240 m². 

Inside the chapel, we can find six tombs: that of Jesús María Ortiz, as well as those of his wife and other members of the Ortiz family. We can also find some original construction details, such as the baptismal font, the pillars, and the altar, as well as the cornerstone of the chapel, which indicates the beginning of construction on March 19, 1883, on land blessed by Presbítero Manuel Terrazas. From the main façade, we can see two bells which, although said not to be original, are an important part of the chapel and bear the names ‘María’ and ‘Lupita’.

A particular detail is that at the entrance of the temple there are three inscriptions: the first with the initials ‘J.M.O.’ (Jesús María Ortiz); the second line: ‘A.M.D.G.’, a Latin inscription (Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam), which translates to Spanish as: ‘to the greater glory of God’; and finally, the year the work was completed: 1886. 

Inside the chapel, there is a plaque with an inscription indicating that the chapel was reconstructed on March 19, 1954, during which the windows in the nave and the floors throughout the building were replaced. Regardless of this, it is considered of great importance to carry out a restoration intervention, as various wear, cracks, and other deteriorations can be observed both inside the chapel and on its exterior.

The chapel holds great importance for the town of Rosales, as it is a historic landmark that contributes to the municipality’s tourism. However, it is not only of great value to the local community, but also to the history of the state and the country, as it is one of the remnants that have survived numerous historical events and marks authentic moments that shaped our state as it is today. It also shows the changes in daily life from the peak of this construction to the present day, demonstrating shifts in priorities and lifestyle, while remaining a historical and commemorative landmark.