by Barbara J. Wood
MISSIONS
The Franciscan Missionaries
The Franciscan Missionaries came to this area to bring Christianity to native American tribes living here.
The Franciscans, the Order of Little Brothers, built thirty-six missions in Texas. They establish Mission Concepcion in 1731 in this vicinity covering approximately 15 square leagues.
Mission Concepcion has its own ranch and grazing land for its livestock. This Ranch, Rancho del Paistle, was situated on the west bank of Cibolo Creek near the present-day Sutherland Springs Texas. Ranch del Paistle rephrased means Moss Ranch.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada
...... Wilson County Texas ranch land Rancho de las Cabras was the land where live stock was raised to feed the inhabitants of Mission San Francisco de la Espada; this rancho is now part of the National Parks System and a World Heritage Site.
