Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

First Mass in Natchitoches

First Mass in Nathchitoches Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2017

1. First Mass in Nathchitoches Marker

Inscription. “The first recorded, formal Christian religious service conducted in Nathchitoches was a holy Mass celebrated in 1716 in the open air beneath a large wooden cross. The celebrant, a native of Valencia, Spain, was Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus, O.F.M of the Zacatecan Missions.”

“This plaque presented to Nathchitoches by the Spanish Government on the occasion of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding, May 9, 1964."

(This plaque replaces the original which was lost in transit.)

Erected 1964 by The Spanish Government.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1716.

Location. 31° 45.667′ N, 93° 5.261′ W. Marker is in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It is at the intersection of Church Street (State Highway 1) and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 145 Church St, Natchitoches LA 71457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (a few steps from this marker); The Legacy of Catholicism (a few steps from this marker); The Natchitoches Parish Old Courthouse

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Natchitoches Parish Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Lest We Forget (within shouting distance of this marker); Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Denis Tomb (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Red River Flood of 1945 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchitoches.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2017

2. First Mass in Nathchitoches Marker

Marker is very difficult to see as it is located on the church building, behind several flowering trees.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.