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San Antonio Missions National Historical ParkWall Art activity during Archaeology Day
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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The Mission Frontier
 
Texas brush and wildflowers, similar to the mission environment.
Texas brush and wildflowers, similar to the mission environment.
Over 400 years ago Spanish expeditions began to explore land that is now the American Southwest. Beginning in the 16th century, missionaries, accompanied by a few soldiers, moved north out of the Valley of Mexico, founding missions and presidios. By 1718 this activity extended to the San Antonio River, helping form the nucleus of the future city of San Antonio itself.
Church and State on the Frontier
Church and State on the Frontier
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to San Antonio Missions, their Beginnings
San Antonio Missions, their Beginnings
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Mission Communities
Mission Communities
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The four churches within San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are active Catholic churches.  

Did You Know?
that the four churches within San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are active Catholic parish churches? While they have not been in continuous operation since established in the early 1700s, many parishioners today are direct descendants of the mission Indians who built the churches.

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Last Updated: March 29, 2007 at 09:47 EST