Vincent Huizar, a Mission San Jose tour guide linked to the Rose Window’s architect, has died at 74.
SAN ANTONIO — A Mission San Jose tour guide and caretaker who was also an ancestor of the architect of the historic Rose Window has passed away, his family confirmed to KENS 5. Vincent Huizar was 74.
KENS 5’s Alicia Neaves interviewed Huizar in September and learned about his family’s legacy at the San Antonio Historic Missions National Park.
Huizar recounted stories from his mother when she told him his family was part of the Missions and a window there. He spent years researching the tales and found that he was an ancestor of Don Pedro Huizar, who is believed to have designed the elaborate Rose Window of Mission San Jose.
The city’s World Heritage Office said in a statement that staff were “deeply saddened” at news of Huizar’s passing, calling him a “proud Mission descendant, respected contributor to the World Heritage Center, and passionate participant in the many activities and events hosted by our office.”
“His passion for researching, preserving, and sharing his family’s story greatly enriched our lives and the legacy of the historic San Antonio Missions and the surrounding community,” Colleen Swain, director of the office, said in the statement. “His presence will be profoundly missed.”
Huizar continued to volunteer as a tour guide at Mission San Jose until very recently. He told KENS 5 the work made him feel connected to his family history.
“It made me feel like I belonged here,” he said. “Don’t wait for anybody to tell your story. You need to tell your own story.”
The National Park said he also recently spoke at the San Antonio World Heritage Center’s Legacy Keepers Series.
Visitors to the Mission San Jose said at the time Vincent’s unique perspective made the trip special.
“To also be able to come here and hear the story from someone from the family — it’s so exciting,” said visitor Melissa Tarun. “I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been living in San Antonio on and off since I was 16 and I didn’t visit the Missions until this year. I am a sucker for a romantic story.”
The Rose Window was sculpted in 1775 after Pedro Huizar, who was born in Mexico, apprenticed under skilled sculptor in Spain and traveled back to the Americas. The design has a strong Spanish Baroque influence and is considered the finest example of Spanish colonial ornamentation in the United States. It is also beloved by visitors and one of Texas’s most photographed treasures, second only to the Alamo.