Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Mission

Third mission under this name founded in Texas. Established near here on the Nueces River in 1762 by Franciscan missionaries for the conversion of the Indians and protection of Spanish lands. Typical of many Spanish missions in Texas, Candelaria had twice moved closer to centers of civilization since its first founding in 1749 on the San Gabriel River. Beset with friction between friars and soldiers, the first Candelaria was abandoned in 1755 and then moved to the San Marcos River. Soon, however, the friars found that the Indians were more concerned with protection than with Christianity. In 1757 the mission was again discontinued. In 1762 Candelaria was re-established here, and about 100 Lipan-Apaches quickly volunteered to live within its walls. A chapel, large thatched building, a house, and possibly other structures were erected. But once more, difficulties arose-- scarcity of meat, unrest and insincerity among the mission Indians, inadequate defense, devastating raids by Comanches and Apaches. About 1767 the mission was abandoned for the last time. Little remains of it today, for the smooth building stones were taken by Anglo settlers in the 1800s to build their houses.

Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Mission is a historical marker in Montell, Uvalde County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 55 historical markers documented in Uvalde County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 82 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.5402, -100.0109 near Montell. The nearest cataloged historic site is Mission Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Baylor, John R., Montell Cemetery, and Church of the Ascension.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5463003566. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.