Southside in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Church
Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022
1. The Church Marker
The doorway where you now stand was once for a few years - the entrance to a church. For those who lived in Mission Espada more than two centuries ago, it was the portal to a new way of life.The sacraments and feast days of the Catholic faith established powerful rhythms for the Texas missions, signifying the seasons with celebration, ceremony, ritual, song, and color. Mission Indians added to their ancient customs these new traditions that marked the great milestones of life-birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, and death.
Spanish records document that 1,033 people were baptised at Mission Espada in the years 1716 to 1773. During the sacrament of baptism, godparents stood with the new believer as spiritual sponsors. As in Catholic life today, godparents functioned as important advisors and patrons throughout their lives.
Captions
1. A much-anticipated high point of each year was a solemn procession to celebrate the feast day of the patron saint, a tradition that endures through the centuries.
[Spanish Text]
this page online
Los sacramentos y los días festivos de la fe católica crearon ritmos poderosos para las misiones de Texas, al identificar las estaciones con celebraciones, ceremonias, ritos, cantos y color. Los indígenas añadieron a sus costumbres antiguas tradiciones nuevas que marcaban los hitos grandes de la vida - nacimiento, bautismo, confirmación, matrimonio y muerte.
Los registros españoles indican que 1,033 personas fueron bautizadas en Espada entre los años de 1716 a 1773. Durante el sacramento del bautismo, se presentaban los padrinos con el nuevo creyente en calidad de patrocinadores espirituales. Tal como ocurre en la vida católica de hoy, los padrinos actuaban como consejeros y protectores importantes a lo largo de sus vidas.
Subtítulos
1. Un punto culminante muy anticipado cada año era la procesión solemne para celebrar el día festivo del santo patrono, una tradición que perdura a través de los siglos.
Erected by San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022
2. The Church ruins and the Marker
Location. 29° 19.077′ N, 98° 27.052′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Southside. It can be reached from the intersection of Espada Road and Camino Coahuilteca, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located on the central section of the Mission Espada grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10040 Espada Road, San Antonio TX 78214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Building Sanctuaries (a few steps from this marker); Church Today / La iglesia hoy en día (within shouting distance of this marker); Granary (within shouting distance of this marker); Espada Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Mastering New Mysteries (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending the Faithful (within shouting distance of this marker); San Antonio Missions (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission San Francisco de la Espada (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . .
Photographed by James Hulse, December 27, 2022
3. The entrance to the Mission Espada
Mission San Francisco de la Espada was the first Spanish Mission in Texas. It was founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Nacogdoches in East Texas. It was renamed as Mission San Francisco de la Espada when it moved to San Antonio in 1731. Distinctive Spanish design features can be seen in the church doorway, bell tower, and brick archways. Espada’s ranch, Rancho de las Cabras, is 23 miles south of the Mission and had as many as 1,262 head of cattle and 4,000 sheep. Mission Espada’s acequia is the nation’s oldest in continuous use. It still uses San Antonio River water to irrigate local crops today illustrating the connection the river makes between the past and the present.(Submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
