Mission San Francisco de la Tejas was founded in Texas in 1690. This New World settlement was hindered by disease and drought. Native Nabedache Indians believed the Spanish mission was the root cause of their troubles and forced the Roman Catholic priests to flee to Monclova, Mexico.
   When several more attempts to restart the mission were equally unsuccessful, a westward relocation brought the church to the San Antonio River area. Established in 1731 and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada, the mission church was completed in 1756. Here Mission Espada fit in comfortably with an existing presidio and other established missions along the San Antonio River.
   Today, the mission is one of four compounds that make up the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Located between Edwards Plateau and the Gulf plains, the missions are located in the Texas Hill Country, a region marked with a semi-arid climate. The San Antonio region is heavily influenced by weather that blows up from the Gulf of Mexico. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico bring humidity and heat, making it the fourth hottest city in the United States.

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