San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas
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| Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y Guadalupe |
The Cathedral of San Fernando, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria y Guadalupe) in San Antonio, Texas
San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas, the oldest cathedral in the state, serves as the geographic center of the city San Antonio, and played an important role in the Battle of the Alamo. Today, it is the final resting place of the enshrined remains of some of the heroes of the Texas Revolution.
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| the altar in San Fernando Cathedral |
Situated literally in the center of San Antonio, the Cathedral of San Fernando marks not only the geographical center of the city, but also the center of the civic and religious life of generations of San Antonio Catholics.
The cathedral marks not only the historic, but also the modern geographic center of San Antonio, Texas. Plaques embedded into the floor mark both positions (the city's expansion led to a slightly different "modern" geographic center).
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| the geographic center of San Antonio, Texas |
The Cathedral is an impressive building with a large central altar. One of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, San Fernando Cathedral was established in 1738, long before this region of Texas was annexed into the United States of America.
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| San Fernando Cathedral |
Built in 1731 by immigrants from the Canary Islands and situated literally in the center of San Antonio, the Cathedral of San Fernando marks not only the geographical center of the city, but also the center of the civic and religious life of generations of San Antonio Catholics. The cathedral's ornate baptismal font was a gift from King Charles III, who also helped finance the construction of the cathedral to cater to the spiritual needs of the Spanish immigrants who settled southern Texas and northern Mexico.
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| visitors praying at the altar at San Fernando Cathedral |
The nearby cathedral offices (just across the plaza) features a small cathedral shop and a museum full of artifacts related to the cathedral's history. Among them, you'll find artwork, vestments, photographs, and even a travel-sized Eucharist kit used long ago by horseback itinerant priests who traveled throughout Texas ministering to the spiritual needs of the state's Roman Catholic settlers.
Just inside the big, heavy doors of the cathedral, a huge stone coffin stood beneath a set of stained glass windowpanes. Here lies the entombed remains of some of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, namely Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, and Jim Bowie. After the battle of the Alamo, General Santa Ana had the bodies burned in giant pyres outside the cathedral, and ordered the ashes to be buries on the parish grounds.
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| the Shrine of Texas Heroes |
During the Texas Revolution, General Santa Ana raised a "No Quarter" flag from the towers of the cathedral, announcing the beginning of the Siege of the Alamo. At the time, the cathedral became sort of an anti-Alamo - a symbol of Mexican authority over Texas.
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| the final resting place of the Alamo Heroes |
Don't Miss
While in San Antonio, don't pass up a visit to the historical Mission San Jose, established by the Spanish in 1720. Today, the mission is part of the San Antonio Missions National Monument, but the church still holds a weekly "Mariachi Mass", which seems like it would be a lot of fun.
Official Website and Hours
http://www.sfcathedral.org/
Sunday, 7AM–6PM
Monday, 9AM–5PM
Tuesday, 9AM–5PM
Wednesday, 9AM–5PM
Thursday, 9AM–5PM
Friday, 9AM–5PM
Saturday, 8AM–6PM
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