Jungle Prada in St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Mass in Florida

April 16, 1528

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018

1. First Mass in Florida Marker

Inscription. In April 1528, The Spanish explorer Panfilo de Narvaez arrived here with 5 ships and 600 men in a quest for gold and power. Also with him were those who sought to spread Christianity, including eight diocesan and five Franciscan priests. One of those priests, Fr. Juan Xuarez, OFM, had received an appointment as Bishop of Florida. A few days after their arrival, Fr. Xuarez celebrated Easter Mass ashore on the morning of April 16th. After another ten days in the area which included several violent encounters with the native Tocobaga peoples. Narvaez along with half of the crew (including 5 priests) headed north on land in what would prove to be an ill-fated expedition. Eight years later in 1536, a mere four survivors made it to Mexico.

Erected by Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1528.

Location. 27° 47.317′ N, 82° 45.241′ W. Marker is in St. Petersburg, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is in Jungle Prada. It is on Park Street North 0.1 miles west of Park Street North,

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in the median. Marker is at the entrance to the pier in Navarez Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1712 Park St N, Saint Petersburg FL 33710, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jungle Prada Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Panfilo de Narvaez (about 500 feet away); War Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Memorial Equatorial Sundial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battlefield Cross Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Combat Wounded Veterans (approx. 1.6 miles away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. 2.9

First Mass in Florida Marker and entrance to pier. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 2, 2018

2. First Mass in Florida Marker and entrance to pier.

miles away); The Wall of Life (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Petersburg.

Also see . . . Catholic Church in Florida. (Submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,143 times since then and 230 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.