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Text and Photos
by Sam Fenstermacher
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Dear
Texas Escapes,
Several years ago my wife and I spent a long weekend in San
Antonio. We did all the popular things there are to do in San
Antonio. The Alamo, River Walk, Botanic
Gardens, etc. On Sunday morning we got up early and checked out of
the hotel intending to spend a day drifting around in the Hill
Country. The one last thing we wanted to do was take a quick look
at the "Other" Missions. You know, the ones they don't talk about
in the travel brochures. |
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Mission
Concepcion. Church |
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Mission
Concepcion. Church interior and dome. |
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about 9:00 AM we found ourselves at the front door of the church at
Mission Concepcion. The National Park Service ranger had assured us
the building was unlocked so we opened the door and walked in. What
we found was the church congregation preparing for Sunday services.
A very kind woman assured us we were welcome to stay and look around
for a few minutes before church services started. All the San Antonio
Missions are still active churches. |
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Mission
Espada. Scanned from a brown-tone black and white print. |
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Mission
Espada. Picture taken in late afternoon. |
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Mission
Espada. Picture taken in late afternoon. Accent is on broken arch
of door and cross with strong shadow. |
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November of 2002 we returned to San Antonio
to spend two days dedicated to seeing the other missions. The images
here are from that trip. I'm going to resist the temptation to tell
you anything about the missions. They are well documented. I will
tell you that I was impressed with the history of this holy place.
These have to be the oldest active churches
in the state. |
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Mission
San Jose. Church interior and dome |
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Mission
San Juan. Church interior |
The National
Park Service does a good job of presenting the missions. And, unlike
so many other attractions in San Antonio
it costs almost nothing to see the San Antonio Missions.
Enjoy the images!
- Sam Fenstermacher
Anyone wishing to share history or photos of San
Antonio, Texas, please contact
us.
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