In 2017 the San Antonio Missions were officially recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The San Antonio missions were actually a system of evangelical communities that included 5 church/life compounds–Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, and San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo)–and support facilities such as the acequias (an irrigation system) and Rancho de las Cabras (a goat ranch). Together they present a unique picture of colonial Spanish and native tribal lifestyles merging on the South Texas plains.
With roots and charters dating back as early as 1716, these missions predate the American Revolution by half a century!
This glimpse of history is all the more exciting because it is ongoing. Each of the mission churches (except the Alamo, which was never fully completed) continues to hold worship services each week.
If you are using the Discover Texas program, Volume III explores Texas missions and colonies in depth. It’s quite an adventure!
