SAN ANTONIO - The church doors at Mission Concepcion will be closed for the next few months after a two-year study revealed the dome on the roof of the building is in need of renovation work.
- Landmark is 265 years old
- Financed by a $1 million campaign
- Parishioners, art temporally relocated
This is the first time in its existence the 265-year-old mission chapel will undergo repairs.
"We looked at [the dome] closely and realized it was spreading," said Rebecca Simmons, the director of Las Misones.
The nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the city's four missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission Espada and Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Simmons says the repairs at Mission Concepcion are being financed by a $1 million campaign.
An image of the dome atop Mission Concepcion which is set to go under construction (Spectrum News)
"We are planning to put a metal ring or band around the dome that will stabilize it. It's called a girdle, and so it will be right there and stabilized. At the same time, we are going to repack some of the stone that's within the dome and re-plaster it. Finally, we got a really good water proofing material that we can put over it and that will help to prevent this water damage that Mission Concepcion has experienced," Simmons said.
Since the mission is recognized as a landmark by the Texas Historical Commission, Simmons says the process to get the repairs approved was lengthy but worth it for their team of researchers and engineers.
"We have to keep it true to what it was like when it was founded and so anytime you want to change or anytime you want to do any kind of work, you have to create a permit process and provide the commission with the plans you are trying to do," she said.
For 17 years, Ethel Rios has attended mass at the mission chapel. She describes the church as serene.
"To me it's a privilege to be here in one of our precious missions," said Rios.
The history of the church means a lot to her, especially the pieces of art that adorn the walls. Her main concern is that they remain protected during renovations.
"We have so many precious items in the church that we need to protect," she said.
Simmons says the archdiocese has a large archive where paintings and other church items can be stored while the church is closed. Along with the art being removed, parishioners will also be relocated to the Chapel of Blessed Sacrament Academy for Sunday mass.
"We know that it is a necessary inconvenience to keep the structure of the building and to keep it for future generations," Rios said.