Mission Espada

It's that time of the year when I start thinking about Family Photos. So our discovery of Mission Espada came because I seriously typed in Google: Places to take pictures in San Antonio.

Mission Espada was on the top 10.

 

 

Misision Espada is part of the five Spanish Missions in San Antonio

 

 

 

A chain of five missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century became the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. Built primarily to expand Spanish New World influence northward from Mexico, the missions also served to introduce native inhabitants into Spanish society.

Four of the missions (San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada) were originally founded in East Texas. As the East Texas missions succumbed to drought, malaria, and French incursions, however they were relocated to San Antonio.

The missions flourished during the middle of the 18th century, but later declined due to inadequate military support, disease, and increased hostilities with Apaches and Comanches.


The Alamo is downtown and we've admired the mission from the outside. We haven't been inside yet, we've been secrectly waiting and hoping that Al's parents will come and we'll all go together.
 


The Alamo (1718) The first and today the most widely known of these missions was San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo. It was established in 1718 as a way station between missions already existing in East Texas and other base missions in Mexico. It was well over 100 years old when it became the focal point for the Battle of the Alamo, fought
March 6, 1836.


The other three missions we haven't seen yet but hopefully soon and then we'll share it...

MISSION ESPADA (1731)


Mission San Francisco de la Espada, like its sister missions San Jose, San Juan, and Concepcion, had its beginnings in East Texas. Originally named San Francisco de los Tejas, Espada was renamed and relocated to San Antonio in 1731. It is the southernmost of the chain of missions located on the San Antonio River. Mission Espada features a very attractive chapel, along with an unusual door and stone entrance archway.

 

This door and archway was beautiful. Thinking we need one of these in the house we'll have someday.

 

The map says Mission Espada is only fifteen miles from where we live but it felt like we where going for a drive in the countryside on a beautiful Sunday.

The grounds felt so peaceful and we went inside the small catholic church. We sat on old benches and observed people praying and lighting candles. Whenever we visit ancient ruins I always try to picture the people that walked the grounds and what life might have been like in their generation.

                                                    Once again lost in my own thoughts.

We took our time exploring the grounds.

 

 

So if you ever decide to take a road trip to San Antonio put Mission Espada on the list, it's worth it!