Mission Concepcion
Also known as: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion de Acuna
Why it's listed
Mission Concepcion is a complex of Spanish colonial mission buildings about three miles south of Alamo Plaza in San Antonio. Its west-facing church has massive twin bell towers, a steep pediment over the entrance with fluted engaged columns, and heavily buttressed limestone walls nearly four feet thick. Inside, a tunnel-vaulted nave, a low dome with a lantern, and traces of original frescoes survive. A one-story convento with stone arches and tunnel vaults extends to the south. Friars of the college of Queretaro moved their east Texas missions to San Antonio, and Concepcion was established on March 5, 1731. The church took about 20 years to build and was dedicated on December 8, 1755. The mission was secularized in 1793 and abandoned by 1819. U.S. troops later occupied it, and it was used as a cattle pen before reopening for worship in 1887. It remains an active church open to visitors and is maintained in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The mission is significant for its religious and architectural history. Founded in San Antonio in 1731 by friars of the college of Queretaro, its church took about 20 years to build. It stands largely as it did in the eighteenth century, with the original walls, towers, nave vaulting, dome and most of the convento intact.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 70000740, listed April 15, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 807 Mission Rd., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | April 15, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000740 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific dates 1731, 1755) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 15, 1970 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained in excellent condition; still used as an active church and open to visitors. |
| Acreage | 10.7 |
| Within district | St. John's Seminary |
| Coordinates | 29.39121, -98.49126 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 70000740.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2312403
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.