Main/Military Plaza in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

San Fernando Cathedral

Timothy M. Matovino, Tejano Religion and Ethnicity: San Antonio 1821-1860

— Main Plaza —

San Fernando Cathedral Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

1. San Fernando Cathedral Marker

Inscription. Built by Spanish subjects during the middle of the eighteenth century, San Fernando was a visible sign of San Antonios origins. Its prominent location between the two central plazas of the city was a silent reminder of enduring Tejano presence and vitality. For Tejanos, their parish was not an immigrant haven in a strange new land, but the one institution from their past which was not taken over by Anglo-American immigrants to their city. As such, it was not a way station on the road to assimilation, but a focal point for Tejano resistance to the diminishment of their religious and cultural heritage.

Erected 2008 by Bexar County and the city of San Antonio.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Hispanic Americans.

Location. 29° 25.465′ N, 98° 29.623′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Main/Military Plaza. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Dolorosa and Main Plaza. The marker lays flat on the ground in the Main Plaza grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Dolorosa, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reaffirming the Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe (a few steps from this marker); The Rioters

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(a few steps from this marker); Remains of the Alamo Heroes (a few steps from this marker); The Old Cathedral (a few steps from this marker); San Fernando Cathedral 200th Anniversary (a few steps from this marker); San Antonio de Padua (within shouting distance of this marker); Draws a Revolver and Fires Away (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinister Enticements (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Regarding San Fernando Cathedral. When visiting Main Plaza, be sure to look for and locate all 30 significant, historical pavers embedded into the floor of the plaza.

Also see . . . Cathedral of San Fernando (San Antonio).

The original church of San Fernando was built between 1738 and 1750. The walls of that church today form the sanctuary of the cathedral, which gives rise to its claim as the oldest cathedral in the State of Texas. The church was named for Ferdinand III of Castile, who ruled in the 13th century. The baptismal font, believed to be a gift from Charles
Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

2. Closeup of the San Fernando Cathedral Marker
III, who became King of Spain from 1759, is the oldest piece of liturgical furnishing in the cathedral. The cathedral was built by settlers from the Canary Islands, for this reason the interior is an image of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patroness of the Canary Islands. Source: Wikipedia

(Submitted on December 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the San Fernando Cathedral and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

3. The view of the San Fernando Cathedral and Marker

San Fernando Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

4. San Fernando Cathedral

Artwork of the San Fernando Cathedral marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 9, 2021

5. Artwork of the San Fernando Cathedral marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 26, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.