Spanish Missions

As the Spanish became more interested in the new land, they sent priests to the new land. Why? As the Spanish became more interested in the new land, they sent priests to the new land. Why? To convert the Indians to Christianity, the religion of Spain. To convert the Indians to Christianity, the religion of Spain.

The priests built missions. What is a mission? The priests built missions. What is a mission? A mission is a religious settlement. A mission is a religious settlement. Missions

The missions needed protection. Who protected them? The missions needed protection. Who protected them? Soldiers lived nearby in forts called presidios. Soldiers lived nearby in forts called presidios. Presidios

5 Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio Five missions along the San Antonio River in the 18th century became the largest area of Catholic missions in North America. Five missions along the San Antonio River in the 18th century became the largest area of Catholic missions in North America.

Four of the missions (San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada) were originally in East Texas. As the East Texas missions faced drought, malaria, and French incursions, they were relocated to San Antonio. Four of the missions (San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada) were originally in East Texas. As the East Texas missions faced drought, malaria, and French incursions, they were relocated to San Antonio. 5 Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio

Where they are….

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 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. 5 Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio

The Alamo, 1718 The first and most widely known of these missions was San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo. It was well over 100 years old when it became the focal point for the Battle of the Alamo, fought March 6, The Alamo will always be remembered and associated with that battle. The first and most widely known of these missions was San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo. It was well over 100 years old when it became the focal point for the Battle of the Alamo, fought March 6, The Alamo will always be remembered and associated with that battle.

The Alamo

San Jose, 1720 Soon after the building of the Alamo, a second mission was founded in 1720 about five miles downstream. A model among the Texas missions, San Jose gained a reputation as a major social and cultural center. Among the San Antonio missions, it also provided the strongest garrison against raids from Indians. Soon after the building of the Alamo, a second mission was founded in 1720 about five miles downstream. A model among the Texas missions, San Jose gained a reputation as a major social and cultural center. Among the San Antonio missions, it also provided the strongest garrison against raids from Indians.

San Jose

San Jose Doorway

Parts of a Mission-San Jose 1. Entrance Station 2. Indian Quarters (west wall) 3. West Well 4. Oven 5. Granary 6. Spanish Residence/Casa Real 7. Grape Arbor 8. Archway 9. Flour Mill 10. Amphitheater 11. Church Front Entrance 12. Sacristy 13. Convento and Portería 14. East Well 15. East Gate 16. Indian Quarters 17. Ruins (east wall) 18. Bastion (southeast) 19. Southeast Gate 20. Indian Quarters 21. South Well 22. Cemetery Plot

Getting Water-Acequias

San Juan, 1731 First established in East Texas, mission San Juan Capistrano made it’s permanent home on the banks of the San Antonio River in Within a short time, the mission became a supplier of agricultural and other products including iron, wood, cloth, and leather goods produced by the Indians in it’s workshops. First established in East Texas, mission San Juan Capistrano made it’s permanent home on the banks of the San Antonio River in Within a short time, the mission became a supplier of agricultural and other products including iron, wood, cloth, and leather goods produced by the Indians in it’s workshops.

San Juan

Concepcion, 1731 One of the most attractive of the San Antonio missions, the church at Concepcion looks essentially as it did more than 200 years ago, when it stood at the center of local religious activity. The mission was well known for it’s religious celebrations. One of the most attractive of the San Antonio missions, the church at Concepcion looks essentially as it did more than 200 years ago, when it stood at the center of local religious activity. The mission was well known for it’s religious celebrations.

Concepcion

Espada Mission San Francisco de la Espada had it’s beginnings in East Texas. Originally named San Francisco de los Tejas, Espada was renamed and relocated to San Antonio in Mission San Francisco de la Espada had it’s beginnings in East Texas. Originally named San Francisco de los Tejas, Espada was renamed and relocated to San Antonio in 1731.

Espada

The Missions Today The Alamo, a Texas shrine since the war for Texas independence, is today a visitor's center and museum of early Texas artifacts. It has been under the care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since The Alamo, a Texas shrine since the war for Texas independence, is today a visitor's center and museum of early Texas artifacts. It has been under the care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since 1905.

The Missions Today Missions San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada continue to operate as active parishes of the Catholic church and all are open to the public. Missions San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada continue to operate as active parishes of the Catholic church and all are open to the public.