SAN ANTONIO — Too much rain, and very little time to dry, has caused a few problems at several World Heritage sites.

• $1 million is spent each year to maintain and restore all four Southside missions

• Missions San Juan and Espada had leaks because of the excessive rain

Mass at Mission Concepción was halted over the weekend after pieces of plaster started to fall.

“It wasn’t huge, but enough that it could’ve, might’ve caused a slight injury on somebody if it would’ve fallen directly on them,” said Father David Garcia Director of the Old Spanish Missions with the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Though the decorative pieces that detached were small, the church was closed as a precaution. Father Garcia said moisture seeps into stones and when released, materials like plaster or paint, go out with it.

“This is some construction going on behind us. We don’t think that really contributed much to this particular incident, but there is some demolition going on and some construction of apartments going on in the old St. John’s Seminary site,” said Father Garcia. “But really moisture is the issue for the missions. They’re just old buildings. They’re fragile and we just have to keep taking care of them.”

Aside from some damage at Mission Concepción​, Missions San Juan and Espada had leaks because of the excessive rain. About $1 million is spent each year to maintain and restore all four Southside missions.

“I live my life worried about these missions. I mean, you got to figure that they’re anywhere from 250 to almost 300 years old. And, the elements of nature are constantly bombarding them,” said Father Garcia.

All missions are now up and running. A major restoration of the dome is set to begin in June next summer.