SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS

Simple wooden cross surrounded by prickly pear cactus in the courtyard of Mission Espada.

 

The chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 1700s is a reminder of one of Spain's most successful attempts to extend its then domination northward from New Spain (Mexico).  The Spaniards established missions not only in Texas but in Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona and California.   Including the Alamo there are five missions making up the San Antonio Mission chain.

 

The Spanish Missions concentrated on spreading the catholic faith....the basis of Spanish colonial society...among the frontier Indians.  The Franciscan missions served not only the church but the Spanish crown, who financed them.  The missions helped form the foundation for the city of San Antonio.  

 

 

 






Mission Espada was founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas and is the oldest of the East Texas missions.  It was renamed San Francisco de la Espada in 1731 when it was moved to its present day location.  Espada is the most remote of the San Antonio missions and enjoys a very peaceful and quiet location in the countryside.  



Mission San Juan Capistrano was originally San Jose de los Nazonis in East Texas.  It was renamed also in 1731 when it was relocated to its present day location on San Antonio river's east bank.  Its fertile farmland and pastures soon made it a regional supplier of produce.  Aside from its fruit and vegetable production, in 1762 mission records show San Juan's herds numbered some 3500 sheep and as many cattle.  

A dad and his daughter visit San Jose Mission.



In 1720 Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus founded the best known of the Texas missions, San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo.   San Jose was the model mission organization and a major social center.  Visitors praised its unique church architecture and the rich fields and pastures surrounding it.  The size of the San Jose Mission complex testifies to its reputation as 'Queen of the Missions'.

The Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion (Our lady of the Immaculate Conception) was also transferred from East Texas in 1731.  It served as the missions' center of religious activity.  Mission Concepcion has fallen into disrepair and its once colorful geometric designs have pretty much faded; but its history and significance in teaching Christian beliefs remains.

The Altar at Mission San Jose



The Convento at Mission Espada and its lovely gardens, a testimony to the green thumb of Brother Jerome who is the resident Friar.

Worship service is still held at each of the missions today.  Typically an English mass is held early in the day followed by a Spanish mass.   It might be fun to attend during one of the Catholic Saints days when a Mariachi mass is held.

 

The Alamo is the 5th of the five missions but it will be in a future blog.  We went to see it today but the line was some 4 to 5 hours deep  (NOT a typo) as a special exhibit is on hand for Texas Independence Week.   We will try again mid week....Sunday was not the day to visit.