SAN ANTONIO – A packed crowd at Mission Concepcion was taken back in time thanks to modern technology. The facade of the 262-year-old mission may have been erased by South Texas weather, but for one night, its true beauty returned.
This is the third year the city has put on Restored by Light and this year by far has seen the biggest turnout. Several thousand people took advantage of the great weather for the unique event.
The USAA Band and Chorus performed for the crowd before sundown Friday. Very few spots were left open leading up to the light show, which did not disappoint.
Eight giant projectors brought spectators back in time to Mission Concepcion’s original facade from 1755.
Ford, Carson and Powell Architects spent years working with historians and conservators, looking at old paintings and examining the facade for any remnants to create something as close as possible to what missionaries saw hundreds of years ago.
"I was blown away tonight. It was absolutely unexpected and so much work was put into this event. But just looking at it right now, it is awesome,” said Estella Reyna, a spectator.
"It was absolutely fabulous because I think people don't realize that not only Mission Concepcion but the other missions were very colorful. I think what you see today does not reflect their original colors of the past,” said Angelica Docog, another spectator.
The show lasted only about four minutes with some musical accompaniment. It remained up for visitors to take pictures.
Next year, as part of the SA 300 Tricentennial celebration, the city plans to host similar events at at least four of the missions beginning in the fall.
