Visit the site of the first Catholic Mass in the United States, marked by a magnificent bronze cross, in the historic city of St. Augustine.
Retrace the steps of America’s first Catholic worshippers at Mission of Nombre de Dios. Regardless of your spiritual or religious denomination, feel at peace in this serene enclave. Find the mission on the verdant western bank of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the United States.
The ivy-covered façade of the chapel meshes seamlessly with its lush surroundings. Although the present building was constructed in 1915, a place of worship has stood here since the early 17th century. Walk inside the simple sanctuary and examine the religious artifacts within. The chapel is dedicated to NuestraSeñora de la Leche y Buen Part or Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery. Admire the exquisitely carved statue of the Virgin Mary nursing baby Jesus. Mothers-to-be, families and other well-wishers often say a prayer here.
Walk through the mission’s historic grounds and explore its shrines, gravestones and other relics. You can’t miss the Great Cross, which soars above everything else. Rising 208 feet (63 meters) into the sky, this massive monument was erected in 1965 to honor the 400th anniversary of the original Mission’s first Mass.
Learn more about the mission’s history and examine fascinating objects in the museum. Check out the original casket of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the founder of St. Augustine, which dates back to 1574. See artifacts including coquina stones, antique chalices and a diorama of the first parish Mass in the United States. Watch a 15-minute documentary that reenacts the 1565 founding of St. Augustine, along with more modern parts of the mission’s history.
Browse through the religious articles, books and other objects for sale in the gift shop. Get a snack or use restroom facilities here. Visit the mission daily. There is no admission fee.
Mission of Nombre de Dios is in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, conveniently close to a Sightseeing Trolley Train stop. Explore the energetic city around you, which blends historic sites with a very lively cultural scene. Try out a hip restaurant or learn about the rich Spanish history in the “Nation’s Oldest City.”
