The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest parish in the continental United States. Established during the celebration of mass in 1565 when Pedro Menendez de Aviles first landed in the area, the parish has been serving the city’s faithful Catholics ever since.
Many church buildings came and went over the years but a permanent coquina-walled structure was completed on the cathedral’s present site in 1797. When in 1870 St. Augustine became a diocese (a church district put under the supervision of a bishop and divided into parishes) the church officially became a cathedral.
Sadly, a fire badly damaged the building in 1887 but the native coquina stone walls survived. The rebuilding included using the old walls but added a new chancel, new trancepts, a tile roof and a huge bell tower.
Today, the front of the cathedral looks much as it did when first built. Set into that portion of the church though, are the original bells, the oldest of which is dated 1689, as well as a statue of St. Augustine of Hippo.
The cathedral’s interior contains a vaulted ceiling, richly decorated altars, beautiful chapels, a floor constructed of colorful tiles, dazzling stained glass windows, shrines, and murals depicting historic as well a religious figures.
A visit to St. Augustine is definitely not complete until you’ve seen this incredible building.
For a photo gallery of the cathedral, click here.
For the cathedral’s website, click here.
For other information on St. Augustine, click on any of the following:
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