The San Antonio Missions

Location:
United States

mission history San Antonio

“Remember the Alamo!” historians and culture-lovers shout, but the Alamo is not the only memorable piece of history in San Antonio, Texas. Most visitors make sure to visit the Riverwalk downtown and the Tower of the Americas, maybe even take in a Spurs game. If we only remember the Alamo, also known as San Antonio de Valero, and its tragic story, we are neglecting a large part of the city’s past. There are actually five missions, all located along the Mission Trail. The Alamo is the last stop on the path, not the only one.

San Antonio was discovered in the 1700’s by a group of Franciscan monks. They encountered a Native American settlement along the Yanaguana River, now known as the San Antonio River on the Catholic feast day of San Antonio. Opting to stay and build their missions, renaming the village for the day they found it.

The other Missions: Mission of San Juan, San Jose, Concepcion, and Espada, were relocated from east Texas after trouble and disease decreased their numbers. At their new location, the Friars developed a more symbiotic relationship with their Native patrons. Those who converted could live protected from rival tribes, safe behind the beautiful stone walls and arches.

The current condition of these missions vary from nearly destroyed, to nearly new. The Mission of San Jose, and its legendary Rose Window, stands today as one of the most popular wedding sites in the city. Its stone arches maintain their Old World elegance and breathe a wind of romance from the past.

The Alamo, due to its tourist draw, is kept in excellent condition and is always surrounded by visitors, reminiscing the 13 days its defenders stood before accepting their doom. Remembering the Alamo was never about victory because the Texans were defeated there. It was about the bravery they showed until the end. Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and the others had a mission, to earn their freedom. In visiting the Missions a few years ago, I had a mission as well.

My husband is from Mexico. I took him to the Missions, on a tour of San Antonio, my hometown so that he would know where I come from. He stood and stared at them. “I can’t believe I’m not in Mexico,” he stated, as these are visions not common to the US, but everyday in the Mexican capital.

The connection he made between our two worlds was my mission. It is in places like these our worlds come together.