The Missions Period

1690 – 1793

For 10,000 years bands of native peoples inhabited the lands in South Texas. But by the late 1600s, many of these groups faced extinction from drought, European diseases, and regional conflicts. During this time Franciscan missionaries journeyed from New Spain (modern-day Mexico) to establish dozens of missions across what is now Texas. Their goal was to create self-sufficient communities where native peoples could be incorporated into Spanish culture and the Catholic faith. The missions were more than churches. They were also villages, forts, schools, farms, and ranches.

Franciscans attempted to establish several missions in east Texas. However, the isolation of these settlements made it difficult for them to thrive.

1690 - 1719

The Spanish established a new settlement at the headwaters of the San Antonio River. Named San Antonio, it included Mission San Antonio de Valero, today known as the Alamo.

1718

Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús

Reproduced courtesy of Our Lady of the Lake University.

The Venerable Padre Antonio Margil de Jesus, a Franciscan missionary who had helped establish the East Texas missions, founds a new mission south of San Antonio: Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo.

1720

National Park Service

Three of the East Texas missions are reestablished in San Antonio: Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de la Espada.

1731

This 1730 map showed plans for a new settlement for Canary Islanders, here labeled Villa de San Antonio de Casafuente.

Archivo General de la Nacion Maps, UTRGV Digital Library, The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley

Settlers from the Canary Islands arrived in San Antonio to establish the first civil settlement in the Spanish province of Texas. Seven years later, in 1738, they began construction on San Fernando Church. The church was completed in 1750.

1731

A smallpox and measles epidemic swept through the San Antonio missions. Many mission Indians died, others fled.

1739

National Park Service

An aqueduct, is completed spanning Piedras Creek and bringing water from the San Antonio River to Mission Espada.

1745

Mission Concepción’s church was completed in 1755.

Photo by Bob Howen

By the 1750s all four missions were well established.

1750s

Missions across Texas began to experience large drops in population. The numbers of Indians who were most open to recruitment declined due to disease and high infant mortality. The San Antonio missions began recruitment of more distant groups, but the declines continued.

1760s – 1780s

National Park Service

San José's current church was completed.

1782

Secularization and Decline

1794 – MID-1800s

As missionaries, the role of the Franciscans was to lead only the initial establishment of the mission settlements. The communities were then expected to mature from religious-run missions into fully Spanish and Christian towns, run by non-religious leaders. The direction of church life was also to be transferred from missionary religious orders to the Catholic diocesan church. This process—called secularization—began in the late 1700s. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, the missions were largely abandoned and the buildings fell into disrepair.

Secularization order for Mission Espada, 1794

Texas General Land Office

Spanish authorities issued orders to partially secularize the San Antonio missions. The missions’ land and holdings began to be distributed to community members.

1794

On this 1874 map, the lands of Mission San José, are shown with the names of families who received land.

Texas General Land Office

The full secularization of all San Antonio missions was complete. Land and goods were distributed to the residents of the missions.

1824

Map of the Battle of Concepción

Hardin-Simmons University Library

During the Texas Revolution the San Antonio missions were the site of several important events. Mission Espada was occupied by Texian volunteers as a fortification against the Mexican Army. The 1835 Battle of Concepción, called “the first major engagement of the Texas Revolution,” was fought on the grounds of the mission. And at Mission Valero, the massacre of Texian volunteers at the Battle of the Alamo was a turning point in the war, and Texas history.

1835–1836

Mission Espada's church roof had fallen in, and its side walls collapsed.

University of Texas San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures

After decades of neglect and damage from fires and conflicts, many of the buildings of the former missions were in ruins.

1850s

Restoration and Renewal

LATE 1800s – TODAY

By the late-1800s, San Antonio's beautiful mission buildings had largely fallen into ruin. Yet, gradually life began to return to them. At first dedicated individuals worked alone to rebuild the missions. But in time larger restoration efforts were organized by religious and civic leaders, with the support of state and federal programs. This restoration work did more than simply preserve the missions. It also renewed the spiritual life in them, fulfilling the vision that first guided the Franciscans over 300 years ago.

Mission Concepción is rededicated as a church after restoration by the Brothers of Mary. It was used as the church for St. Mary’s School (present day St. Mary’s University).

1861

San Fernando Cathedral, 1890s

DeGolyer Library, SMU, Texas: Photographs, Manuscripts, and Imprints

Extensive renovation began on San Fernando implementing a new gothic revival style with the now famous two towers. Six years later, in 1874, the Diocese of San Antonio was created and San Fernando officially received Cathedral status.

1868

Mission San Jose, c. 1877, after the collapse of the roof and north wall of the church

University of Texas San Antonio, Institute of Texan Cultures

Part of the north wall of San Jose’s church and the dome and the roof collapsed during Christmas services. Fortunately, the mass was being held in an adjoining room instead of the nave.

1868

Rev. Bouchu at Mission Espada, c. 1900

Catholic Archives of Texas

Rev. Francis Bouchu, who had been appointed as pastor of San Francisco de la Espada in 1858, began to rebuild the mission. Bouchu used his own funds to buy land, rebuild the side walls of the chapel, and construct a new roof. He also regilded the surviving statues of St. Francis, the Virgin Mary, and Christ on the Cross, which he mounted on the altar in the sanctuary.

Early 1880s

Following a major restoration, Mission Concepción's church was reopened for services for the parish.

1913

Nun and students in classroom at Mission Espada School, 1941

Institute of Texan Cultures, The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Francisco de la Espada School opened. At first, the school taught first through sixth grades. It later added seventh and eighth. At its peak in the late 1950s, the school had 193 pupils. The school closed in 1967.

1915

The collapsed bell tower, 1928

Catholic Archives of Texas

Mission San Jose’s bell tower suddenly collapsed on March 9. Reconstruction took less than five months, and used only the original stones.

1928

Archbishop Arthur J. Drossaerts saying mass at the rededication of Mission San Jose, 1937

Institute of Texan Cultures, The University of Texas at San Antonio

During the Great Depression and afterward, major restoration projects were carried out at the missions, under the supervision of renowned local architect Harvey P. Smith. The majority of funding and labor was provided through federal New Deal programs, with additional support by the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the San Antonio Conservation Society and Bexar County.

1930s – 1960s

Archives of the Archdiocese of San Antonio

The historic significance of the San Antonio missions began to be recognized locally, regionally, and nationally. In 1941 Mission San Jose was dedicated as a State and National Historic Site. In 1964 the Espada aqueduct was listed as a National Historic Landmark, as was Mission Concepción in 1970.

1940s – 1970s

Archives of the Archdiocese of San Antonio

Local interest in establishing a national park connecting the four missions began as early as the 1930s. Finally, in 1978 the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established by the joint efforts of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the San Antonio Conservation Society, and the United States Department of the Interior. The park opened in 1983.

November 10, 1978

Pope St. John Paul II visits San Fernando Cathedral. He remains the only Pope to visit Texas.

September 3, 1987

Robin Jerstad/VisitSanAntonio.com

San Antonio’s five missions were named as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They join landmarks such the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon as the country's 23rd UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the only one in Texas.

2015

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller officially opens El Camino de San Antonio Missions.

Ken Erfurth

The Archdiocese of San Antonio officially opens El Camino de San Antonio Missions, establishing a pilgrimage route linking the four lower missions and San Fernando Cathedral.

2023