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Several years ago my wife and I spent a long weekend
in San Antonio. We did all the popular
things there are to do in San Antonio.
The Alamo, River Walk, Botanic Gardens,
etc. On Sunday morning we got up early and checked out of the hotel
intending to spend a day drifting around in the Hill
Country. The one last thing we wanted to do was take a quick look
at the "Other" Missions. You know, the ones they don't talk about
in the travel brochures. |
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about 9:00 AM we found ourselves at the front door of the church at
Mission Concepcion. The National Park Service ranger had assured us
the building was unlocked so we opened the door and walked in. What
we found was the church congregation preparing for Sunday services.
A very kind woman assured us we were welcome to stay and look around
for a few minutes before church services started. All the San Antonio
Missions are still active churches. |
Mission Espada.
Scanned from a brown-tone black and white print.
Photo courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, Nov. 2002 |
Mission Espada.
Picture taken in late afternoon.
Photo courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, Nov. 2002 |
Mission Espada.
Picture taken in late afternoon. Accent is on broken arch of door
and cross with strong shadow.
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, Nov. 2002 |
| In
November of 2002 we returned to San Antonio
to spend two days dedicated to seeing the other missions. The images
here are from that trip. I'm going to resist the temptation to tell
you anything about the missions. They are well documented. I will
tell you that I was impressed with the history of this holy place.
These have to be the oldest active churches
in the state. |
Mission San
Jose.
Church interior and dome
Photo
courtesy Sam
Fenstermacher, Nov. 2002 |
The National
Park Service does a good job of presenting the missions. And, unlike
so many other attractions in San Antonio
it costs almost nothing to see the San Antonio Missions.
Enjoy the images!
© Sam
Fenstermacher
2002 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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