| Building Name: | Temple of Saint Joseph |
| Native Name: | Spanish; Castilian: Templo de San José |
| Location: | Mazatlán, Mexico |
| Geo: | 23.201°N -106.425°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Catholic Church |
| Rite: | Latin Rite |
| Patron: | Saint Joseph |
The Templo de San José (Temple of Saint Joseph) is a church building in Mazatlán, Mexico. It is the oldest religious building in the city, and its construction dates back to the beginning of the 19th century.
The exact date of its construction is unknown, but the general consensus establishes the year 1837 and it took 5 years to complete.[1] The temple preserves its original and characteristic features. The Discalced Carmelites were in charge of building the place.[2]
Before its construction, believers awaited the arrival of the priest of Villa Unión with his portable altar to perform the sacraments. This generated the indifference of the faithful to their religious obligations, which alarmed the ecclesiastical authorities.[3] It was finally authorized by Lázaro de la Garza y Ballesteros, bishop of Sonora, who authorized its construction on March 19, 1831. Its original construction was in raw adobe.[4]
In May 2016, some gang members graffitied the exterior wall of the church. After the incident, residents of the area demanded more surveillance.[5] In May 2022, an assailant assaulted a priest in the atrium of the church, taking money from him and escaping from the scene.[6]