The Missions of San Antonio were communities. The walls served as protection but the communities included farming, ranching, and worship. Franciscan Friars worked to convert the Indian population to Catholicism and taught them to live as Spaniards. Six missions were initially established along the San Antonio River in the early 1700s. Five of them did well and four survive as consecrated churches with weekly services today.
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| Mission Espada along the El Camino Real. |
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| The house next door has clearly been there a very long time and is still occupied. |
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| A new sculpture being installed along the hike/bike trail. Based on the photo it is a long way from completion. |
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| San Antonio River |
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| Mission San Juan (de Capistrano) |
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| Holy Ground. Beginning about 1780 indigenous people and other local folks were interred here. The church was never completed. |
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| This Mission church was locked and had no attendant, volunteer or gift shop. |
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| Took a turn off the Missions Road and stumbled across this piece of art. |
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| Mission San Jose'. Though all of the four missions are under the umbrella of the National Park Service this is the only one with NPS staff, information center, and gift shop. |
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| The only church with a double illumination design. On August 15, the Day of Assumption (of the Virgin Mary) the setting sun shines through a top circular window to illuminate her face in this 300 year old painting. As it lowers more there is a cross shaped window through which it is again illuminated. |
ALL PHOTOS AND INFORMATION ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. AS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF THE BLOGGER THEY MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED OR USED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE BLOGGER.
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