Mission Concepción

The Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción was transferred from East Texas in 1731. The church looks essentially as it did in the mid-1700’s when it served as the Mission’s center of religious activity. Colorful geometric designs that once covered its surface have long since faded.

The missionaries strove to replace traditional Indian ritual with religious festivals teaching Christian beliefs. Carvings of the saints and objects of adoration were popular representations of Catholicism among the Indians. Morality plays and religious celebrations were common methods of instruction.

Although abandoned for long periods, the sturdy church of Mission Concepción is once again used for worship.

Photos by Rick Denney, Copyright © R.W. Denney Jr.
Used by Permission

Ensuring Mission Concepción’s Future:

Interior Nave:

• Conservation of art
• Nave lighting
• Stabilzation of interior wall plaster
• Replace and repaint plaster on dome and upper wall
• Historic paint investigation

Interior Sacristy:

• Stabilize fresco
• Interpret historic paint
• Stabilize interior wall plaster

Exterior:

• Reappoint deteriorated mortar joints
• Stabilize exterior facade stone
• Test and stabilize existing and orginal plaster
• Repointing of north wall
• Clean, paint, and stucco dome
• Parapet stucco/waterproofing