Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Pensacola's Catholic Presence

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2020

1. Pensacola's Catholic Presence Marker

Inscription. St. Michael Catholic Parish traces its foundation to Don Tristan De Luna's landing on Aug. 14, 1559. Accompanied by five priests of the Dominican Order and one lay brother, the first Catholic Mass in what is the United States was celebrated at the landing site on Aug. 15, 1559, the feast of the Assumption of Mary. After a lapse of years, the Catholic Church's presence was officially established on May 10, 1781 by Fr. Cyril de Barcelona, the chaplain of the Galvez armada. From the first church in an old warehouse on Pensacola's waterfront, St. Michael has been a continuous presence. Three additional St. Michael churches were built along today's Jefferson St over the next 100 years. The last of those churches was destroyed by fire in Sept. 1882. This current site had been purchased in May 1882, and church construction completed in Mar. 1886 and dedicated on Jun. 6, 1886. Pope Benedict XVI elevated St. Michael Church to the status of a Minor Basilica on Dec. 28, 2011 thus honoring the architectural and historic significance of both church and parish in the history of northwest Florida. The Basilica of St. Michael stands as a witness to the honor and glory of God in the heart of Pensacola.

Erected by St. Michael Catholic Parish.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration

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• Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 14, 1559.

Location. 30° 24.834′ N, 87° 12.952′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is on North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) south of West Chase Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 North Palafox Street, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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 walking distance of this marker: St. Michael’s Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Chase Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Methodist Church of Pensacola/Site of the San Carlos Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Garden Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pensacola Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (about 500 feet away); First Jewish House of Worship in Florida (about 600 feet away); Morrison Family Homestead (about 800 feet away); General Bernardo de Gálvez and the "Siege of Pensacola" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Pensacola's Catholic Presence Marker looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2020

2. Pensacola's Catholic Presence Marker looking north

Pensacola's Catholic Presence Marker looking south with St. Michael's rectory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2020

3. Pensacola's Catholic Presence Marker looking south with St. Michael's rectory

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 696 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.