Three historic sites at Soboba Indian Reservation received plaques from the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Historical Society on Sept. 9.

St. Joseph Mission Church, the Soboba Maze Stone and Masonry Water Story Facility were recognized for their historic significance, as well as how well they have been maintained, said Joan Walters, founder of the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Historical Society.

"These plaques bring awareness to the rich culture and history we have on the reservation and we really appreciate them," said Charlene Ryan, director of the Soboba Cultural Center.

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Special to The Press-Enterprise

Joan Walter, founder of the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Historical Society, second from left, presents Soboba Tribal Council members with historical site recognition for St. Joseph's Mission Church. From right are Rosemary Morillo, Rose Salgado, Julie Pacero and Gordon Placencia. The mission's priest, the Rev. Earl Henley, back, and Charlene Ryan, Soboba Cultural Center director, left, look on.

St. Joseph Mission Church was established at the Soboba Indian Reservation in 1888. Back then, the church was known as the Soboba Chapel.

In 1899, on Christmas morning, the chapel was damaged by an earthquake that killed five Soboba women. The damage was not repaired until 1910, when the chapel was replaced with a concrete structure of walls 14 to 16 inches thick with flying buttresses and a bell tower.

"The most amazing thing about the church is that it's a combined effort of the local people," Ryan said. "Rebuilding the church really made it a part of the community, and I think everybody really felt attached to it."

The church suffered from another earthquake in 1918, leaving a crack in one of the walls that is still visible today.

In 1954, the Soboba chapel became a Mission church with a priest in residence. Masses are celebrated every Sunday and Wednesday.

Plaques were also awarded for the reservation's Soboba Maze Stone and its Masonry Water Storage Facility.

The Masonry Water Storage Facility, constructed in the 1930s, was one of the first water reservoirs on the reservation that allowed residents to water their crops and feed their cattle, Ryan said.

Founded in 2002, the Hemet-San Jacinto Historical Society has sought to identify and protect the historical assets of the San Jacinto Valley. Earlier this year, the society merged with the Hemet Area Museum Association and Save Our Station. The new nonprofit organization is now the Hemet Heritage Foundation.

Reach Erica Shen at 951-763-3466, or eshen@PE.com.