IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY, long before the United States won its independence, the area known now as San Antonio began to attract European settlers. The Catholic Church, working with the Spanish Government, established five missions along a nine-mile stretch of the fertile and scenic San Antonio River. Protected by high walls, robust faith
and active military garrisons, their goal was the conversion and education of the region’s Native Americans. All five are located within the city limits of San Antonio, and represent th greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America.
• Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo was established in 1718. It was followed in 1720 by Mission San José, the largest and most spectacular of the San Antonio missions. Known as the "Queen of the Missions"; its Rose Window is one of the finest pieces of Spanish colonial ornamentation in the country. Mission builders used skilled craftsmen recruited from Mexico while Native Americans provided the labor. San José was a major social and cultural center, and today you can visit the magnificent Church, ruins of a convent, grape arbor, granary and Indian Quarters. On Sundays at noon there is a Mariachi Mass. Arrive early as the doors close once seats are filled. Phone (210) 922 0543 for festival information.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service, is located at the entrance to Mission San José. The Park, 819 acres, contains all of the missions. Open 9-5; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days, the Visitor Center has interpretive exhibits, brochures, a movie, and staff. Phone (210) 932 1001. Each mission has a ranger to answer questions.
• Mission San Juan de Capistrano, established in 1731, possessed the best farmlands and supplied agricultural produce to the region’s other missions, settlements and presidio garrisons. Its surplus was used to establish a wide trade network east to Louisiana and south to Coahuila, Mexico.
• Mission San Francisco de la Espada, originally established in East Texas in 1690, found its final home in San Antonio in 1731. Its acequia, - or irrigation canal, still carries water to farm fields, and is the only acequia system still intact in the United States. The Espada Dam, the oldest existing dam in the U.S., is part of the water system declared a National Historic Monument in 1965.
• Mission Concepción, completed in 1755, retains the most original structures, looking almost as it did over two hundred years ago. Though unrestored, the handsome stone church is well preserved partially because of the stable bedrock base.
All missions, except the Alamo, are active Roman Catholic parishes serving the surrounding communities. Check dates for special parish festivals at each mission.