Bell tower.
Cross in cemetery.
|
First Mission
- Nombre de Dios |
Missions
| |
|
other site
|
Mission Sites
|
other site
|
Founded September 8, 1565
|
Personal ObservationsHaving visited all available mission sites in California, I was excited to learn of one restored mission in Florida, Mission San Luis de Apalachee and that the first Spanish mission in the current United States is in Saint Augustine. My wife and I visited Mission Nombre de Dios on December 28, 2007, a bright and sunny Florida morning. |
|
Mission Nombre de Dios (Name of God) dates to the founding of the City of St. Augustine, America's oldest city, in 1565. On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. Father Lopez de Medoza Grajeles celebrated the first parish Mass here and it carries on with its mision today. The Prince of Peace church was built in 1965 to commemorate the Mission's Four Hundredth anniversary. |
|
The grounds are open from 7am-7pm. The gift shop is open daily: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
|
27 Ocean Avenue St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 824-2809 or (800) 342-6529 shrine@missionandshrine.org |
|
Bell tower. |
Cross in cemetery. |
 The cemetery. |
 The cemetery. |
 Grave marker. |
 Several graves. |
| The original Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche Chapel was built about c1615. British Colonel John Palmer attempted to capture Saint Augustine in 1728. To prevent Palmer from using the building, the Spanish fired at the stone chapel from the Castillo de San Marcos. Bishop Augustin Verot rebuilt the chapel in 1875 but shortly thereafter, it was severely damaged by a hurricane. Bishop Michael Curley began another restoration in 1914. Mass is celebrated when priests visit for parish pilgrimages, weddings, and special occasions. |
 Front of La Leche Chapel which commemorates the first parish Mass celebrated on September 8th, 1565. |
 Front of La Leche Chapel which was restored in 1914 after suffering severe damage in a hurricane.. |
 Front of La Leche Chapel often called one of the most holy places in North America. |
 Front of La Leche Chapel. |
 Interior of La Leche Chapel. |
 Front of La Leche Chapel. |
 Saint Joseph and gazebo. |
 Gazebo. |
 Marker. |
 The Rustic Altar commemorats the first parish Mass celebrated in Saint Augustine. The altar is sometimes used for special Mass. |
 Statue of Father Lopez de Medoza Grajeles, chaplain of Menendez's fleet, priest at the first mass. Artist, Dr. Ivan Mestrovic, dedicated on April 13, 1958. |
 Coquina stone work around Father. Lopez statue. |
 Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine was a gift from a missionary in Brazil . This shrine commemorates the 1531 visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in Guadalupe, Mexico. |
 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine in a Byzantine styled shelter. |
 The Gift Shop at left and cross beyond. |
| The 208 foot Great Cross shown in the following images was erected in 1965 to commemorate the St. Augustine Quadricentennial. The site is believed to be where St. Augustine was founding on Sept. 8, 1565 at which time a small wooden cross was errected. The cross weighs 70 tons, is covered with 200 stainless steel panels, and is illuminated at night. |
 Cross. |
 Cross. |
 Cross with helicopter. |
 Cross. |
 Cross. |
 Cross. |
 Cross. |
 Cross. |
 Michael Gannon Bridge bertween the Prince of Peace Church and the old cemetery. Crosses Matanzas River. |
 Bird. |
 Prince of Peace Church (Modern church). |
 Prince of Peace Church (Modern church). |
 Netivity sceen. |
 Church side yard. This outdoor altar is made of solid granite and is used on Palm Sunday and other special days. |
|
|