San Antonio Missions ~ Part II ~ Mission Concepcion

As promised here is a continuation of our day visiting the Missions of San Antonio. I am posting them in the order we saw them and actually how they are on the Mission Trail. While the Alamo is the most widely known and visited, travelers shouldn't make it their sole stop inside San Antonio Missions National Park. There are 5 missions in all on this magnificent tour... Here is the first one!

Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion - Mission 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 its religious celebrations. Not visible today are the colorful geometric designs, known as Frescos, that originally covered the exterior surface of the mission. Inside, however, are original paintings of religious symbols and architectural designs.

This handsome stone church took about 20 years to build, and was dedicated in 1755. It appears very much as it did over two centuries ago. Due to the fact that it was built directly on bedrock, it never lost its roof, or its integrity. It remains the least restored of the colonial structures within the Park.

Also on the grounds is a beautiful prayer garden... I found this a very tranquil area and sat for a long time reflecting on how it must have been for the Indains during those times of transisiton.... and what life must have been like for all....

Did You Know?
That Spanish missions were not churches? They were Indian towns, with the church as the focus, where, in the 1700s, the native people were learning to become Spanish citizens. In order to become a citizen, they had to be Catholic; that is why the King of Spain sent missionaries to acculturate them.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!