Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Florida's First Catholic Martyrs
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 14, 2021
1. Florida's First Catholic Martyrs Marker
Somewhere along the shores of Tampa Bay during the summer of 1549, Catholic priest (from the Dominican Order) Fray Luis Cancer de Barbastro, fellow Dominican priest Fray Diego de Tolosa, and an oblate named Fuentes, were killed by a group of local Native Americans. The two priests and the layman came to the Gulf coast on a mission to peacefully convert the Florida Natives to Christianity. Previous Spanish incursions into the Tampa Bay area were marked by violence toward the Indigenous population, making them suspicious of any non-Natives. Despite instructions to the ship's pilot to avoid areas with previous Spanish contacts, the Dominicans' ship sailed directly to Tampa Bay, sealing the fate of Fray Luis and his companions.Erected 2021 by Originally erected by the Hillsborough County Historical Commission-Replacement marker erected by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1549.
Location. 27° 56.411′ N, 82°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jose Gasparilla (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bayshore Boulevard (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline (about 600 feet away); Hutchinson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clara Barton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Mirabella Fish Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gordon Keller (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. Peter O. Knight (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 14, 2021
2. Florida's First Catholic Martyrs Marker
Rock in the background used to have the old marker from this site.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
