Mission Espada

On Friday the 7^th of September 2007 I had the opportunity to go to Mission Espada. This experience was quite enlightening and enjoyable even though the weather was rather unbearable. People were sweating profusely and our guide (Dora Martinez) had to utilize an umbrella to shield herself from the scorching rays of the sun. I had the feeling that the climate was not much different when the mission was established over 276 years ago in March 5, 1731. As we walked further into the establishment my mind began to wander, imagining what life would have been like all those years ago. I could not help, but think that it must have been very uncomfortable for all the inhabitants of the mission. There were no air conditioners, or insulation to moderate the temperatures. The only water was from the local well, or that which was brought in through acequias that were dug in order to divert water from the San Antonio River. Even though life was hard, Mission Espada has been more fortunate then the other local mission as time has passed. Espada is the only mission whose well has not been sealed, as well as the only mission where bricks were baked.

As the tour continued we came to the doors of the church. Dora explained to us that this door was very special because it was incomplete. We were all very curious as to what she meant because the door looked fine to us, but after she told us to look closer we became aware of what she meant. The door was unusually narrow and the stone arch above it was missing its edges. Dora elucidated to us that the reason for the unfinished arch was quite comedic. Apparently the mason simply ran away in the middle of the night after have murdered a man whose wife he had slept with. Of course this is still speculation, but there are some documents that partially support this claim. Over all my time spent at Mission Espada was simply delightful, and I will be making it a priority to visit more often.