The first Mass in the State of Texas was celebrated by the Franciscan monk, Antonio de San Buenaventura. San Antonio is credited with making a huge contribution to the founding of the City of San Antonio and for establishing the five institutions of San Antonio Missions tour and the Alamo.
Mission San Jose, formally known as San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, the so-called Queen of the Missions, is also the largest of the five. Construction began in 1720 and ended in 1782. The initial structure suffered two major calamities. The first one was the collapse of the roof and the dome in 1874. The second catastrophe was in 1928, when the church tower collapsed. The buildings are composed of Texas limestone and a fascinating polychromatic substance, brightly colored stucco.
Spectators on the tour should watch out for features such as intricate carvings, quatrefoil patterns, flying buttresses and the famous Rose Window. The choir loft is formed from a total of 25 risers, all of which were carved by hand from the same log. The structure contains no nails or pegs.
One of the most captivating features of Mission San Jose is the well-known Rose Window. In Europe, the term "rose window" was generically applied to a particular style of highly ornate, round window divided into wedges by a series of mullions. The window at the mission is shaped like a quatrefoil with a superimposed rectangle.
Although completely different from the traditional rose windows of Europe, this particular specimen was no less grandiose. It has its own folklore, although nobody can say for sure how it acquired its name. The structure is close to the ground at only 4.5 feet and stands a full seven feet tall.
There are three other missions contained within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. These are Mission Espada, Mission Concepcion and Mission San Juan Capistrano. This third establishment is easily confused with its counterpart of the same name located in Southern California. The California mission is famous for flocks of swallows that return to it every spring. By far the most famous of the San Antonio missions, located outside the national park, is The Alamo.
The Mission at the Alamo was the scene of one of the most pivotal battles in the Texas Revolution, or Texas War of Independence. This war between the Texas colonists and the Mexican government began in October 1835 and lasted until April 1836. The end result of the conflict was the formation of the Republic of Texas. Texas was not formally annexed until the end of the Mexican-American War in 1845.
The fifth Franciscan mission, situated outside the National Historical Park, is The Alamo. Now a museum in the Alamo Plaza District of downtown San Antonio, the Alamo is no longer a Catholic church. The park itself houses over 180 different species of bird. Each mission takes at least two to four hours to fully appreciate. Park admission and guided tours are free of charge.
Mission San Jose, formally known as San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, the so-called Queen of the Missions, is also the largest of the five. Construction began in 1720 and ended in 1782. The initial structure suffered two major calamities. The first one was the collapse of the roof and the dome in 1874. The second catastrophe was in 1928, when the church tower collapsed. The buildings are composed of Texas limestone and a fascinating polychromatic substance, brightly colored stucco.
Spectators on the tour should watch out for features such as intricate carvings, quatrefoil patterns, flying buttresses and the famous Rose Window. The choir loft is formed from a total of 25 risers, all of which were carved by hand from the same log. The structure contains no nails or pegs.
One of the most captivating features of Mission San Jose is the well-known Rose Window. In Europe, the term "rose window" was generically applied to a particular style of highly ornate, round window divided into wedges by a series of mullions. The window at the mission is shaped like a quatrefoil with a superimposed rectangle.
Although completely different from the traditional rose windows of Europe, this particular specimen was no less grandiose. It has its own folklore, although nobody can say for sure how it acquired its name. The structure is close to the ground at only 4.5 feet and stands a full seven feet tall.
There are three other missions contained within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. These are Mission Espada, Mission Concepcion and Mission San Juan Capistrano. This third establishment is easily confused with its counterpart of the same name located in Southern California. The California mission is famous for flocks of swallows that return to it every spring. By far the most famous of the San Antonio missions, located outside the national park, is The Alamo.
The Mission at the Alamo was the scene of one of the most pivotal battles in the Texas Revolution, or Texas War of Independence. This war between the Texas colonists and the Mexican government began in October 1835 and lasted until April 1836. The end result of the conflict was the formation of the Republic of Texas. Texas was not formally annexed until the end of the Mexican-American War in 1845.
The fifth Franciscan mission, situated outside the National Historical Park, is The Alamo. Now a museum in the Alamo Plaza District of downtown San Antonio, the Alamo is no longer a Catholic church. The park itself houses over 180 different species of bird. Each mission takes at least two to four hours to fully appreciate. Park admission and guided tours are free of charge.
