San Antonio Missions: & the Alamo, Presidio La Bahia (Goliad) & El Camino Real, Texas

Gr 5 Up—The San Antonio Missions are one of 13 national parks in Texas. Each of the four missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan Capistrano, and Espada—was established by the Franciscans, Catholic missionaries for the Spanish government. Today these missions continue to be active parishes, with religious services provided on a regular basis, and the National Parks Commission works with the local archdiocese to maintain these religious services for visitors. This video captures the enduring magnificence of their architecture and the role they played in the history of Texas and the United States. Mission Concepción, established in1731 and a designated historical landmark, is admired for its original fresco and interior art. Mission Espada, considered the oldest established mission in Texas, has its agricultural and irrigation systems intact. The video emphasizes three objectives the monks set out to establish with the founding of each mission: to convert the indigenous population to Catholicism, teach them to speak Spanish, and have them learn a skill or craft that would contribute to the mission's enterprise. Students of Texas history as well as historians of Spanish architecture will appreciate the detail of information regarding restoration projects and the original existing structures. Historical anecdotes as well as contributions that each of these missions, including the Alamo and the Presidio La Bahia, made towards independence from Mexico are clearly outlined. The film indicated that at least a half million people visit the missions each year, and after viewing this program, that number is sure to increase.—Sheila Acosta, San Antonio Public Library, TX