According to the National Park Service, which now oversees four of the missions in San Antonio, Mission Espada was the first Spanish mission in Texas when it was established in 1690 near present-day Weches. In 1731, the mission moved to the San Antonio River area and was renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. The community established around the mission has the distinction of having the oldest continually operating irrigation system in the U.S. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Spanish missions in Texas were some of the first steps on the long journey to America’s 250th anniversary. 

Between 1682 and 1793, Franciscan priests established 26 missions in what became Texas. These far-flung outposts established Spain’s toehold in the region and the foundation of Texas culture. Visiting these missions is like stepping back in time.

Among the most consequential of European settlements were the San Antonio missions. Now a National Historic Park, four missions along the San Antonio River ultimately attracted immigrants from around the world. (The Alamo is the property of the state.) 

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was founded in 1716 in eastern Texas before moving to the San Antonio area in 1731. Though the mission served as a religious center, the priests instructed Indigenous people to function as a European community. Neither wholly Indigenous nor wholly Spanish the community around the mission has persisted for more than 250 years still using the unchanged building as a parish church. Mexico secularized the Catholic missions between 1824 and 1830, and their vast land holdings were auctioned off or distributed to mission residents. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

These Central Texas missions brought the seeds of ranching, farming, Catholicism, and the city of San Antonio to Texas. All are still parish churches and worth a visit. Mission San Jose is the largest and most elaborate. Mission Concepcion is one of the country’s oldest original stone churches. The surviving buildings of Mission San Juan were part of a larger church that was never built. The small Mission Espada is the prettiest with its three-bell tower and ornate front door. 

Mission Espada, the first Spanish mission in Texas, was founded in 1690 in East Texas as Mission Tejas. Built among the Caddo Nation, the mission only lasted about three years before being revived many years later in San Antonio. During its short life the mission opened a large part of East Texas to exploration. 

Without the Spanish missions on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande beginning in 1659, it might have been years later than 1849 before El Paso was founded. Follow the El Paso County Mission Trail (www.epcounty.com/missiontrail) to visit some of the oldest churches in the U.S.

The communities of Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario grew around missions. These settlements began with established congregations of Native Americans relocated from New Mexico following the Pueblo Revolt in 1680. Changes in the river’s course placed them in Texas.

The missions in the El Paso area were originally south of the Rio Grande. Changes to the river’s course placed them on the Texas side of the river. Ysleta Mission was founded in 1682 by refugees from the Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico. The current church dates from the early 1900s after previous buildings were destroyed by floods or fire. It is the oldest of three of the longest serving Catholic parishes in the U.S. The missions in the El Paso area were not secularized by Mexico until 1852. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

1,812th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.

This article appears in June 26 • 2026.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.