page_title: Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá
section_title: Establishment
hierarchical_section_title: Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá / Establishment
caption_attribution_description: Adapted from Wikipedia's TX county maps by Seth Ilys.
context_page_description: Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá was one of the Spanish missions in Texas. It was established in April 1757, along with the Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas, later renamed Presidio of San Sabá, in what is now Menard County. Located along the San Saba River, the mission was intended to convert members of the Lipan Apache tribe. Although no Apache ever resided at the mission, its existence convinced the Comanche that the Spanish had allied with the Comanche's mortal enemy. In 1758 the mission was destroyed by 2,000 warriors from the Comanche, Tonkawa, Yojuane, Bidai and Hasinai tribes. It was the only mission in Texas to be completely destroyed by Native Americans. The Indians did not attack the nearby presidio.
  In retaliation, the Spanish government authorized an expedition in 1759 to attack the Comanche. Colonel Diego Ortiz Parrilla led over 500 Spanish soldiers and Apache braves into Comanche territory. Along the Red River, Spanish soldiers encountered a Wichita village which had been heavily fortified, complete with a moat and wooden stockade.
context_section_description: In August 1749, the Apache and Spanish agreed to peace.  The Apache began to request Spanish missions.  Authorities repeatedly denied these requests, wary that the Apache were trying to gain Spanish aid in attacking the Comanches.  However, the Spanish believed that if the effort was successful in converting Apaches and convincing them to remain peaceful, the missionary activity could be expanded northward.  If a large enough area could become peaceful, the Spanish might be able to establish an overland route to Santa Fe.
  In 1752, Spanish authorities approved an expedition to explore the Apache territory and locate a site for a possible mission.  The following year a small group, led by Juan Galván and including Father Miguel de Aranda, who worked at Mission Concepción, travelled northwest of San Antonio, exploring the Pedernales River, the Llano River, and the San Saba River.  The San Saba River area appeared most promising as the soil was fertile, there seemed to be mineral deposits in the area, and local Apache promised to come to a mission.  Galván recommended that a mission be founded along the San Saba, and that a presidio be established nearby to protect the mission against the Comanche.
  The viceroy ordered a second expedition of the area in 1754.  Former governor of Texas Pedro de Rábago y Terán explored the same area and concurred with Galván's recommendation.  The people of San Antonio were enthusiastic about the proposal, hoping that a new northern settlement would protect their town from raids.  The governor still hesitated, and in 1756 asked Lieutenant Governor Bernardo de Miranda to again explore the area.  While exploring, Miranda heard rumors from the Apache of silver deposits near San Sabá and again recommended the area.
  In 1757, authorities finally approved the mission.  For three years, the mission would be funded by local mine owner Pedro Romero de Terreros, whose cousin, Father Alonso Giraldo de Terreros, would run the mission.  After three years, the government would pay mission expenses, and the government would also fund the garrison. The missions along the San Marcos River would be closed, and all of their assets would be purchased by Pedro Terreros and transferred to the new mission.  Unlike most missions, this one would report to the viceroy instead of the governor.
  Franciscan missionaries were assigned from the College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro and the College of San Fernando de México. Authorities had also authorized the building of a fort to protect the mission and its occupants.  Missionaries were afraid that the Spanish soldiers might corrupt their converts and insisted that the fort be built 3 miles (4.8 km) away and on the other side of the river. The missionaries had divided loyalties;  some supported Father Terreros, while others were angry that Terreros had been given responsibility over other priests who had long advocated for a mission to the Apaches.  The commander of the garrison, Colonel Ortiz Parrilla did not approve of Terreros's appointment and also questioned the motives of the Apache.  He delayed the journey several times. The missionaries, soldiers and their families left San Antonio for the San Saba River in April 1757.  They brought with them 1,400 cattle and 700 sheep.
  There were no Apache waiting at the mission site, and after five days of searching Ortiz was unable to find any Apache.  Ortiz attempted to halt the expedition, but the six missionaries refused to leave.  The mission was built near modern-day Menard.  Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas was built at the same time on the other side of the river and 3 miles away as demanded by the priests. Apache representatives periodically appeared at the mission, promising that they would soon relocate to the missions, but none ever did.  Three of the six missionaries returned to San Antonio.
caption: The mission was established near modern-day Menard, TX
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