San Antonio Missions NHP - Mission Espada

Tuesday August 25, 2026

The furthest south of the four Spanish missions in San Antonio Missions Natinal Historic Park is Mission Espada. It is not right on the San Antonio River, but is not far from it. This mission was founded in 1690 near present-day Weches, Texas as San Francisco de los Tejas. Like Mission San Juan it was moved to the San Antonio River area. The current mission was built in 1731 and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. This one felt the most like an active parish with the parking right next to the church and the parish offices on the other side.

Entrance Sign in Front of a Mission Wall Area Entrance Sign

The church itself is small. I like how the bells were visible above the main entrance.

Front of a Small Church with Bells Front of the Church

Side View of a 1700s Mission Church The Church

The inside takes you back to the 1700s when this area was controlled by Spain.

View from the Back of a 1700s Spanish Mission Church. Rows of benches in front of the altar Inside the Church

Spanish Mission Espada Church's Altar The Church's Altar

Right next to the church is the convento with the church offices in a section of the wall that is intact. I am not sure if this section was maintained or rebuilt.

Convento and church with trees The Church with a Section of the Wall/Buildings that Is Now Offices

The south east corner of the mission has the NPS visitor information center and a small museum. An overview of this National Historic park is in the first post of this series about Mission San Juan. As with most National Park units, you should check the NPS Website's San Antonio Missions NHP Page for current status and more information.