In the early 1920's, the San Jose Estates Development company was in the midst of establishing a residential community within the neighborhood of its prestigious San Jose Hotel. Construction ended in 1926, however, when the anticipated real estate boom was not realized. The administrative offices of the Development Company were housed in the buildings, that now make up the San Jose Episcopal Church and Parish Day School.
The land and buildings, which had been purchased by Alfred I. duPont and his wife Jessie Ball duPont were formally deeded to the Diocese of Florida to begin an Episcopal Church.
The Day School began as a mission of the church with a Kindergarten program.

The National Historic Register site now housing San Jose Episcopal Church began its life as the San Jose Estates Administration building in 1925.

Designed by the distinguished architectural firm of Marsh and Saxleby, its central gate tower is similar to the San Jose Gate Tower located on San Jose Boulevard near Christopher Creek. After serving as an administrative building, with offices and a Roaring Twenties casino, the building was purchased by Alfred I duPont.

In 1941 Mrs. duPont allowed some neighborhood Episcopalians, to use the administration building for worship services and later as a chapel for students. The property was donated to the Episcopal Diocese of Florida in 1949 and its name,Grace Chapel, was changed in 1971 to San Jose Episcopal Church, giving the initials S.J.E. over the entrance a new meaning.

In 1985, San Jose Episcopal Day School and San Jose Episcopal Church were honored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, gaining national prominence as one of the largest historic sites in the United States. *

This designation reflected considerable change from its inauspicious beginning in 1926 as a gas station. The original building now forms the centerpiece of San Jose Episcopal Day School. Its distinctive Spanish tower can be seen at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard and Old St Augustine Road.

San Jose Episcopal Day School
7423 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32217
(904) 733-0352
Jean Dodd, Head of School