---
title: San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas
author: Betsy Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20938/san-fernando-cathedral-san-antonio-texas/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-09-09
---
# San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas
_Authored by Betsy Mark_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20938.jpg)
## Image Caption
San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, photograph by Betsy [Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/), 2004.
The original parish church, later enlarged in the Gothic style as depicted here, played a notable role in the story of the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the [Alamo](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2805/the-alamo/) in 1836. Defenders of the Alamo used the heights of the church to scout for the advance of Mexican forces under Santa Anna, who himself later used the building to hoist a blood-red flag signaling no quarter for the defenders. A [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) in the cathedral claims to hold the remains of the Texian garrison, including those of [William Barret Travis](https://www.worldhistory.org/William_Barret_Travis/), [Jim Bowie](https://www.worldhistory.org/James_Bowie/), and [Davy Crockett](https://www.worldhistory.org/David_Crockett/).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Mark, B. (2025, September 09). San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Mark, Betsy. "San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 09, 2025. .
### MLA
Mark, Betsy. "San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Sep 2025, .
## License & Copyright
Original image by **Betsy Mark**. Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 09 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.