A Virtual Tour of the San Antonio
National Historic Park- Mission San Francisco de la Espada
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Here is the Mission, San Francisco de la Espada Church. The facade is the original 18th structure. During the 19th century the back of the church building collapsed, but was rebuilt during the 1880's. The Moorish entrance arch is an identifying feature of this building. |
| Here I am pictured in front of the Church entrance arch. Possibly the builder deviated from the original plan in constructing it in this manner. An alternate construction would have inverted the two lower left arch stones ( the first two stones above the left column) and moved them to the right. The first two right stones likewise inverted would shift to the left. This scheme would result in a wider door arguably better suited for its Church purpose. Through the magic of computer software and some tips from my nephew, Jim Arnold of Dallas, TX, I have reconstructed the arch by rearranging the stones to show the alternate construction of the arch,. (Go To: The Espada Door Arch Myste |
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This is the building at the South-east Corner of the mission compound. The corner building had been used through much of the 20th century as a school. Today it is the Visitor's center for the National Park. The flag is the 18th century flag of Spain that once flew over Texas. |
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On the left above is a picture of Robert Espinosa, National Park Ranger in Charge of the Mission Espada. On the right is Brother Jerome, a Franciscan Brother who lives at the church rectory and serves several of the area parishes as an organist. Brother Jerome maintains the bird feeders in the large oak trees near the church. (Go to. The Birds of Espada.). The church building is in the background. |
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