The Yselta Mission was established after the retreat of the colonist and the soldiers during the Great Pueblo Revolt of 1690. This clash of cultures was a struggle over which way of life- religions, economics, or political -should prevail.
In 1682 Spaniards founded the mission- named Corpus Christi del Sur Yselta (Body of Christ of the Island of the South) for the Tigua Indians. Father Zaveleta, a Franciscan, offered mass in Spanish and Tigua in a hut until an adobe structure was completed in 1691. The original mission building was destroyed by fire and floor. The present structure was completed in 1851. The community of Yselta del Sur with its founding traced to 1682 claims to be the oldest town in modern day Texas.
Strangely enough this Mission sits right next door to the Speaking Rock Casino and is the cornerstone of the Yselta Historic District. Driving directions: take I.H. 10 East to Zaragosa Street, exit and turn right on Zaragosa and go approximately 4 miles.