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Like all the other San Antonio Missions, San Francisco de las Espada was first established elsewhere in 1690 (and dedicated to San Francisco de los Tejas - Tejas was the name the Spanish gave to Nabedache Indians who inhabited the area where the mission was first built), making it the oldest mission foundation in Texas. When the mission transferred to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada in 1731 it was the last to be in the line of missions along the San Antonio River. The church we see today was completed in 1756.
Like all the other other Missions, Mission Espada was a self-sufficient community, growing crops, raising stock, producing practical items for use by the mission in workshops. Today the church is well preserved and lovingly tended. Evidence of the larger function of the mission can be seen in the ruins of the convento and granary while the kilns here are the only known lime kilns to survive from the period in Texas. . A fortified tower also remains - it is known that James Bowie and a small detachment of the Texian Army made a stand at Espada on October 22, 1835.
Nearby you can see the only Spanish aqueduct stilll to be found in the United States. The missions made great use of the river's waters to irrigate their crops. Using ancient techniques brought to Spain by the mediaeval Moorish rulers, they constructed an elaborate system of "acequias" (irrigation channels) to carry the water from the river to the fields water. By means of numerous acequias, dams and an aqueduct constructed by the Indian workers they were able to irrigate over 3,500 acres of land in the San Antonio region and grow a wide variety of crops throughout the year. Leave a Comment
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Mission de la Espada (means 'of the sword') is named for St. Francis of Assisi who was founder of the Franciscan order. Naming the mission as such, honors St. Francis' decision to be a soldier of God. The mission is still used by the order, as well as, being an active parish.
Originally named San Franciso de los Tejas when it was constructed in 1690, it was moved to the San Antonio river area in 1731. At that time, it was renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. It is the oldest of the four missions. The original church no longer exists, so the sacristy has been utilized in its place.
Espada was the sole mission producing bricks, but the converted native peoples were also taught how to weave, cut stone, repair broken equipment on the farm and introduced to metal working.
The elaborate entranceway to the church is in the Moorish style. It has been suggested that the original architect, Anthony Tello of Mexico, had to leave the mission unexpectedly and those Indians skilled in stonecutting had to complete the pattern for the doorway themselves, creating this atypical look.
The mission received James Bowie (Battle of Alamo) and James Fannin, Jr. when they arrived in October 22, 1835 accompanied by one hundred men with the intention of making this mission their headquarters during the War of Independence.
It doesn't always rain regularly in Texas, so the missions had to devise a water system. They used flow ditch systems, known as acequias for irrigation. Mission Espada's system is pretty much still in place. It was constructed in 1745 and still in use today.
Enlarged photo of the Moorish Entryway (picture 2)
Altar and Sanctuary (picture 3)
The Old Mission Well (picture 4)
The Brick Making Building (picture 5)
The missions are open daily from 9am-5pm except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The admission is free.
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Mission San Francisco de la Espadaas, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas was the first mission in Texas. In 1731, the mission was moved to this location and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. In 1745, a friary was built, and the church was completed in 1756.
Native Americans were taught the ways of Spanish culture. These workers were taught trades that would make them valuable and productive inhabitants. As technology progressed, so did the learned trades of the Indians. These skills proved beneficial to post-colonial growth of the San Antonio River area. Leave a Comment Phone: 512-229-5701Directions: You will need a map since this park is spread over about 800 acres. Check the website.Website: http://www.nps.gov/saan
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Built in 1731, Mission San Francisco de la Espada is the southernmost San Antonio Mission and was the only Texas mission which produced brick for construction. The other unique feature of the mission is the front entrance to the church...after the initial architect left, the new builder completed the project and created a unique doorway. Many claim the initial design was a standard arch, but the second builder misunderstood the plans and created a beautiful and unique archway consisting if a different design than most others. Leave a Comment Phone: 512-229-5701Directions: Mission Espada is located just south of I-410. You can get there from the Interstate or via the mission trail.Website: http://www.nps.gov/saan
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 Mission Espada by Jim_EliasonLeave a Comment
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 Espada Aquaduct by Jim_EliasonLeave a Comment
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 Mission Espada by annkLeave a Comment
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 by rhiannon1968Leave a Comment
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Established 1731, still in use. Much of the missions irrigation system built in the 1740s stands and is still in use, including a small aqueduct over Piedras Creek.
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