Mission San Jose

San Antonio has a number of missions which came about in the 18th Centuary when the Spanish church built 5 Catholic missions along the San Antonio River.  The purpose was to extend its denomination northwards from Mexico and to convert the native population to Catholism.  The five missions are The Alamo of Davey Crocket fame, Mission San Jose considered the Queen of the missions, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.  We visited Mission San Jose which is the most restored mission of the five.   It was established in 1720 and is the finest example of a completely restored mission in the USA.

 The church continues to provide services and weddings.  At the entrance of the church Christ's family tree is evident.  To know more about the missions have a look at

www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/sanjose.htm
www.nps.gov/saan/

On the groungs of the mission is the San José's grist mill in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.  It never ground corn, only wheat? The mill was built late in the mission period; by then the mission Indians had acquired a taste for wheat-based foods. Today the mill is mostly a reproduction, but is in operation five days a week.

There is a lot of Cactus around Texas and it even grows on the roof.

The missions are worth a visit as they provide some insight into the lives of those who fought so hard just to survive.

More to folllow.

Best wishes,

Bev and Ross