Religious Attractions in St Augustine Florida
Religious Attractions To Wow The Whole Family. St Augustine’s Incredible Religious History is Set In Stone.
When it comes to religious attractions, St Augustine, Florida is unmatched for sheer historical significance anywhere in America.
Of course, all things are relative! My local parish church in England was built in the 14th century and York Minster was an established administrative centre before William the Conqueror ever heard of England!
But in terms of the “New World”, St Augustine really marks the beginning of things.
The Menendez Cross
When Pedro Menendez arrived at the shores of St Augustine Florida, one of the first things he did was to hold a service of thanksgiving and dedication. It was the first ever Roman Catholic Mass held on Floridian soil and the site is now marked by a 208ft high cross.
The cross is a very imposing and powerful structure during the day. At night, though, it is absolutely majestic. If you want somewhere for a great evening visit, this could be the place to do it.
There is not much activity going on, but a quiet stroll through the grounds in the evening to the accompaniment of the chirruping cicadas with this huge cross in the background is one of the most spiritual experiences you will ever have – whether you are Catholic or not.
The great cross (above) is surrounded by a huge complex of gardens, shrines, chapels and archaeological excavations. It is all very interesting and extremely tranquil.
If you want to get the best out of your visit to this beautiful religious attraction, the best way to do it is to have a look at the online ‘walking tour’ of the mission.
Flagler Memorial Church
Moving into the modern era, in fact to the modern expansion and development of the town under Henry Flagler and a few other enterprising gentlemen in the later 19th and early 20th centuries, we see a very different approach to religious observance!
None of the leisured Spanish approach to developing and venerating a shrine over centuries here! No, this is a quintessentially American, “fly by the seat of your pants” approach to building a future religious attraction for St Augustine.
In 1889, Henry Flagler’s daughter, Jenny-Louise, died in childbirth along with her newborn daughter.
Flagler decided that he wanted to commemorate the first anniversary of her death in a brand new church so he had one built!
Yes, the Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church was built in just ONE YEAR! Flagler had workmen working 24 hours a day for the entire year (actually, it only took them 361 days!).
He employed 1,000 men to work 12 hours a day either on day shifts or night shifts for the entire period and he had his one year anniversary memorial service right on time.
Henry Flagler was a man of means you know!
Both of these attractions can be investigated at your leisure and both are at or close to stops on the trolley tours that make all St Augustine’s religious attractions – and all the others – easy to reach.
Just one word of warning: If you plan to drive into St Augustine, prepare to walk a long way from the available parking to all the main attractions. Personally, I always plan to use a trolley service because they all provide free parking if you need it.
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