Two missions on Mission Trail in San Antonio, TX

Mission Trail in San Antonio is part of a chain of missions estabished along the San Antonio River in the 18th century is a reminder of one of Spain's most successful attempts to extend its dominion northward from New Spain (present day Mexico City). Collectively they form the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America.

Threatened by French encroachment from Louisiana, Spain stepped up it's colonization in 1690, establishing six missions in East Texas. Needing a way station between these and other Franciscan missions in New Spain, the friars transferred a failed mission on the Rio Grande in 1718. It was renamed mission San Antonio de Valero, later called the Alamo.

Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo

(note: 2nd bell tower was never finished)

Tales of riches spurred early Spanish explorers northward across the Rio Grande. By the 17th century Spaniards penetrated areas to the east encountering Tejas Indians for whom Texas is named. As dreams of wealth faded, the Spaniards concentrated their efforts more fully on the spreading of the Catholic faith - the basis of the Spanish colonial society - among frontier Indians. Financially supported by the Crown, Franciscan missions served both Church and State. As an arm of the church, the mission was the vanguard of the spiritual conversion of the Indians. As an agent of the State, the mission helped push the empire northward. For the Indians the missions offered sanctuary from their enemies.

Gate in the outside wall at San Jose

(note:gun ports on the walkway)

Indian quarters along wall around mission

The missions flourished between 1747 and 1775, despite periodic incursions by the Apache and Comanche Indians. Military support was always inadequate; the Spanish trained the Christianized mission Indians to defend their communities. After 70 years the need for the missions diminished due to the effects of European diseases and intermarriage. By 1824 the San Antonio missions were secularized - their lands redistributed among the inhabitants and the churches transfered to the secular clergy.

Indoor "cook top"

Indoor "running water"

Mission San Francisco de la Espada

Mission Espada is surrounded by beautiful flowers.

This looks like a squash blossom

Carved stone around the door was salvaged and made to fit.

(note: sides of the arch are smaller than the top.)

The Spanish mission helped form the foundation for the city of San Antonio. The modern San Antonio community early recognized their significance, and since the 1920's has worked to preserve them. Today these missions represent an almost unbroken connection with the past. Carrying the legacy of generations of American Indians and Hispanics, they live on as active parishes.

(Historical narrative courtesy of National Park Service brochure)