Mission San Francisco de la Espada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mission San Francisco de la Espada |
|
|---|---|
The church of Mission San Francisco de la Espada.
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
| Location | |
| Location | San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
 Location in Texas
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial |
| Completed | Founded 1690 |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii) |
| Designated | 2015 (39th session) |
| Parent listing | San Antonio Missions |
| Reference no. | 1466-001 |
| State Party |  United States |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| February 23, 1972; January 28, 1974 | |
| 72001351; 74002324 | |
Mission San Francisco de la Espada, often called Mission Espada, is an old Catholic mission. It was first built by Spain in 1690. Later, in 1731, it moved to where San Antonio, Texas is today. This area was once part of "New Spain."
Missions like Espada were built for two main reasons. First, they helped teach local Native Americans about Christianity. Second, they helped Spain claim land in the New World. This also stopped France from taking over these areas. Today, Mission Espada is one of four missions that are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Contents
History of Mission Espada
Early Beginnings in Texas
Mission San Francisco de la Espada was first founded in 1690. It was called San Francisco de los Tejas back then. This first location was near what is now Weches, Texas. It was the second mission ever built in Texas.
Three priests and three soldiers stayed there. They brought supplies to live among the Nabedache Native Americans. The mission officially opened on June 1, 1690.
Challenges and Relocations
A serious smallpox sickness hit the area in 1690-1691. About 3,300 people died. The Nabedache people thought the Spanish had brought the disease. Because of this, problems started between the two groups.
Dry weather also caused trouble in 1691 and 1692. The Nabedache wanted the mission to leave. The priests felt unsafe and began packing their things in 1693. On October 25, 1693, the priests burned the mission down. They then left for Monclova, a city far away.
New Starts and Final Home
The mission was started again on July 5, 1716. It was in the same area and named Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas. But this new mission had to be left behind in 1719. This was due to fighting between Spain and France.
The mission tried one more time on August 5, 1721. It was called San Francisco de los Neches. The Nabedache were no longer interested in the mission. Also, France had stopped trying to claim land there. So, the mission moved temporarily in July 1730. It went to an area along the Colorado River. The original mission site is now Mission Tejas State Park.
The mission moved to its current spot in March 1731. This is in the San Antonio River area. It was then renamed San Francisco De la Espada. A friary (a home for priests) was built in 1745. The main church was finished in 1756. The mission moved partly because Spain worried about France. It also needed more missionaries for the Native Americans near San Antonio. The mission faced many challenges with the Native American population. There were often acts of rebellion.
Some modern churches have been designed like Mission Espada. One example is St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wimberley, Texas.
Rancho de las Cabras
Supporting the Mission
Rancho de las Cabras was a ranch built between 1750 and 1760. It was about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of San Antonio. This ranch belonged to Mission Espada. Its purpose was to provide land for growing crops and raising animals. This helped feed the people living at the mission. It also made sure they didn't use private lands.
The ranch had low fences and simple buildings. These buildings were called jacales. They were made of thatch and used by the Native American workers. Experts believe that Native Americans not originally from Texas built the ranch. Rancho de las Cabras is now a separate part of the World Heritage Site.
Espada Acequia
Water for Life
The Espada Acequia is a special water system. It includes a main ditch and an aqueduct. You can still see them today at Mission San Francisco de la Espada. The main ditch still carries water to the mission. It also waters the old farm lands nearby. People living on these lands still use this water.
How Acequias Work
The idea of using acequias came from Spain and Portugal. The Romans and the Moors first brought this system to their dry regions. When Franciscan missionaries came to the hot, dry Southwest, they found this system worked very well.
To get water to the missions along the San Antonio River, missionaries built a network of ditches. They also built dams and at least one aqueduct. This system was about 15 miles (24 km) long. It helped water about 3,500 acres (14 km²) of land.
Gallery
-
The Espada aqueduct as it crosses Piedras creek
-
Interior of the church
-
Nativity scene, 2009.
-
Nativity scene, 2011.
-
Mission San Francisco de Espada, San Antonio, Texas (postcard, 1901-1907)
See also
