Mission Concepción — Attraction in San Antonio

Out of the four missions on the south side of San Antonio that make up the World Heritage Site and the National Park System, I would consider this one a medium sized one, just a little smaller than Mission San Jose.

Just like the other missions, this one is still a fully operational church. Take your time looking at all the details inside the church. Remember, these were built in the wilderness frontier in the first half of the 1700’s.

The sanctuary has a beautifully arched ceiling, and if you take a look toward the ceiling at the back of the church, you will notice a small window. On a certain time and day of each year, the sunlight shines through this and is directed on the painting of Jesus Christ which is hung above the altar. Yes, they knew enough about astronomy way back then to know when the sun would be in that certain place and enough to build the church, so the window and the painting were in exactly the right place.

In one of the side rooms, take special note of the painting on the ceiling and the tops of the walls (see my photos). The red lines and blue lines represent the “Red Path” and the “Blue Path” that the American Indians of this region believed they has to follow (Google for more information). The sun with the face of the moon within it also has a good story behind it. Notice the face in the moon is the face of a Spaniard. Remember, it was the Spaniard Franciscan monks who built these places with the intention of converting the American Indians to Catholicism. This painting had something to...

Id like to share a spectacular event that occurs at this beautiful chapel which is listed as the oldest unrestored church in the u.s. and the oldest continuously active church in tx. This isnt any event, this is one only explained as a devine intervention which few experience due to the fact it only occurs once a yr during a 15 minute time frame. it is labeled "Double illumination", and you have to be at the church chapel at 6:30 pm on August 15th to believe it is real...The sun will peer through the two round windows on the west wall and a beam will shine through each window and one will light up the center of the cross shaped building, directly under the dome, AND simultaneously the other beam will light the face of the virgin mary which is a painting on the wall behind the alter. At the same time! What makes this a miraculous event is the fact that according to theology, the catholic religion believes that The Virgin Mary wasnt buried, She was assumed into heaven, and her passing is celebrated on August 15th! The celebration is called the Fest of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. and has been celebrated since before the friars moved Concepcion to sa in 1731, @ completed in 1755. And just in case you didnt make the connection, this beautiful little mission was named afrer Marys Immaculate Conception....

This mission is one of the 5 frontier missions built by Spanish missionaries in the early 18th century to exert Spanish influence in the new colony. The 5 missions are now designated as UNESCO heritage sites, and open to the public without admission fee. (How wonderful...) While the Alamo is the most famous of the 5, the other 4 missions are more intimate and less crowded due to their remoteness. For those travelling on public transport, bus 40 links the Alamo to the 4 missions every 30 minutes, 7 days a week. (I bought a day pass for $2.75 on the VIA goMobile app, which allowed unlimited bus rides in San Antonio.) After travelling 3 miles south from the Alamo, the first mission I saw is Mission Concepcion, the oldest unrestored church in America. While the exterior looks aged and weathered, I was surprised to find the interior restored into a functional church and air-conditioned! Outside the main church are several small chambers, where one can find original 18th century frescos on the wall. A few steps away from the mission is a kiosk with a small information center and well maintained restrooms. After Mission Concepcion, the next mission on the trail is Mission San Jose, 2.5...