Mission San Antonio: Finale Part 5

Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion de Acuna ( Mission Concepcion) was moved to San Antonio from East Texas in 1731. At over 250 years old, it is one of the country`s original stone churches. This mission combined the teachings of Spain`s Catholic religion, and the culture of the natives, to become the culture of modern day South Texas.

On October 28, 1835 it was host to the Battle of Concepcion. This battle was fought between Colonel Domingo Ugarechea`s Mexican troops and the Texan insurgents led by James Bowie and James Fannin. Although it was only a 30 minute engagement some say it was the first major engagement of the Texas Revolution.  

Mission Concepcion`s Chapel

James Bowie

James Bowie a great knife fighter, and the namesake of the Bowie knife, was later killed at the Alamo. James Fannin also had a very sad end. On March 19, 1836 Fannin led the Texans in retreat from Goliad`s Fort Defiance. While stopping to rest their animals, Fannin and his men were attacked by the Mexican Calvary. Fannin was wounded and out numbered, so he surrendered at the Battle of Coleto. The Mexicans took Fannin and his men back to Fort Defiance and the 40 men that could not walk, because they were wounded, were all executed.

Colonel Fannin, had to watch his men killed as he was the last to be executed. His leg was wounded, so he was sat in a chair, blindfolded and put in the courtyard in front of the Fort`s chapel to be executed. Fannin had three requests of his executioners: he

James Fannin

wanted his possessions sent home to his family, he did not want to be shot in the face, but in the heart, and last, that he be given a Christian burial. The Mexicans did not heed his wishes, he was shot in the face, they took all his possessions, and he was buried with the rest of his men. 


Both of these men entered into Texas` fight for independence at the battle at Mission Concepcion.

Mission Concepcion was run the same as the previous Missions I have talked about in previous blogs. The Franciscan friars through the Catholic teachings of sacraments, baptism,  communion, reconciliation, confirmation, and marriage brought harmony and a sense of community to the natives that joined the Mission. The Friars taught the natives that at baptism the parents will choose godparents for their children. This created a shared responsibility for the people of the Mission and a connection to the community.

Alter in the chapel

The outside of the mission was painted in elaborate fresco (mural painting on wet lime plaster) and after over 250 years some is still present. The paintings on the inside were restored on the walls and ceiling in 1988. These paintings have elements of Christian, Spanish and Native art. Religious services are still held at Mission Concepcion today.

One of the fresco paintings on the wall in the Chapel 

This is the end of my Mission series. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did sharing it with you. San Antonio is a great vacation spot and is filled with rich Texas history. I am so looking forward to going back to visit.