The San Antonio Messions

After 10,000 years, the people of South Texas found their cultures, their very lives under attack. In the early

1700s Apache raided from the north, deadly diseases traveled from Mexico, and drought lingered. Survival lay in the missions. By entering a mission, they foreswore their traditional life to become Spanish, accepting a new religion and pledging fealty to a distant and unseen king.

The Old Spanish Missions of San Antonio are a chain of five colonial era compounds located in a southern line from the center of downtown San Antonio to the southern edge of the city. They were established in the 18th Century as an outreach of the Spanish Government and the Catholic Church. The Franciscan Fathers founded each mission to evangelize the regional natives, teach them skills to help them adopt to Spanish ways, and minister to their needs. Additionally, the effort was to make them active citizens of the Spanish province of Tejas. Military forces were often located in the vicinity of each mission to offer protection.

Four of the five original missions still function as active Catholic parish Churches. They serve both a stable population of parish members as well as many visitors who attend worship services. These are Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada. They are operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio as the Old Spanish Missions, Inc., an umbrella non-profit organization to provide for their care. The Archbishop of San Antonio appoints the Director of the Old Spanish Missions, who is responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the mission churches.

San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, is owned by the State of Texas and operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. It does not function as an active parish church and is not part of the Old Spanish Missions, Inc.

Today the National Park Service operates the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in collaboration with the Archdiocese. The Park Service is responsible for all the secular elements of the four compounds, including buildings, landscape and visitor centers. The Archdiocese continues to care solely for the church buildings.

You are welcome to explore these pages to learn more about the missions and to visit the churches and grounds of these historical, religious and cultural treasures. We also hope you will consider supporting the efforts to restore and preserve these precious monuments of our nation.


Overview: Through the rest of 2012, you'll need to drive along this tour. But starting in 2013, the restoration work should be finished on the mission trail. To check on the progress, visit San Antonio Mission Reach Project's website below.

The word mission usually connotes religion. It's true that San Antonio's missions revolved around religion and faith, but it doesn't describe the importance or full scope for any of them. Though intentionally created to spread the Catholic faith, missions are not churches. The church is merely one building among several in any mission. Each complex served as a separate, unique community.

All four churches — Mission Concepción's, Mission San José's, Mission San Juan Capistrano's, and Mission Espada's — have active Catholic congregations. Though the congregations haven't been continuously active since the 1700s, many of today's members are direct descendants of the Indians who built the churches.

In addition to the families, the missions served as the foundation for much of what you'll see in Texas today. The architecture, food, culture, textiles, and more all began in the missions in one way or another. Each is different and several served as important sites during the Texas Revolution.

When you visit the missions, be careful. These are historic structures and the masonry may not be able to hold your weight (such as if you decide to try and walk atop a retaining wall). Also, some structures may not be accessible due to restoration work or otherwise.

 They say the heart of San Antonio is The Alamo but the soul is truly our historic Missions.  Please join our 2nd Annual creative endurance endeavor as we run through all four historic Missions.   Celebrate our exciting new WORLD HERITAGE status while giving back to the legacy of the Missions and encouraging wellness & fitness among all.

A fast & flat course awaits you along the scenic Mission Reach corridor.  You will be treated to the beauty and heritage of all our active Missions.  Your Race Start journey begins at Mission Concepcion and runs right past the famous Rose Window and thru Missions San Jose & San Juan de Capistrano and just near Mission San Francisco Espada while being treated to the warmth, charm & hospitality of this vibrant community.

Your race entry will include a cool custom tech shirt in mens & womens cut, custom race bib, professional race chip timing, FREE Race Photos, classy Finisher’s Medal with sublimated ribbon, surprises along the route and an exciting Post Race Celebration that reflects our passion for these Missions.