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

Old Christ Church

— Colonial Archaeological Trail —

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

1. Old Christ Church Marker

Inscription. Built in 1832 during the American period, this church served as an Episcopal house of worship. It later became Pensacola's first public library and an historical museum. UWF archaeologists excavated under the church floor and uncovered the remains of three church rectors, later reburied under the floor. Unexpectedly, archaeologists discovered the remains of a burned First Spanish building and compound wall. This was a surprise because these structures do not appear on any colonial maps and would have been outside Fort San Miguel. Excavations also revealed evidence of a British period hurricane, possibly from 1778, in the form of sand from the storm surge. The sand covered a trash deposit related to the nearby British Garrison Kitchen, also on the Colonial Archaeological Trail.

Background image: Pensacola, Fla, county seat of Escambia County 1885. Image available at the Library of Congress.

Map of archaeological features at Old Christ Church. Image courtesy of the UWF Archaeology Institute.

UWF archaeologists excavating beneath the floor of Old Christ Church. Image courtesy of the UWF Archaeology Institute

Erected by University of West Florida Historic Trust.

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

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Anthropology & Archaeology • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 30° 24.536′ N, 87° 12.629′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is on Zaragoza Street west of South Adams Street, on the left when traveling east. Located at Old Pensacola Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Zaragoza St, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Governor's House? (a few steps from this marker); Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Garrison's Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); British Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Tivoli High House (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending a Coastal Colony (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Firefighter Vista S. Lowe (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Regarding Old Christ Church. The Colonial Archaeological Trail is a collection of outdoor exhibits relating the Spanish, British, and American occupations

Old Christ Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

2. Old Christ Church and Marker

of Pensacola. This interpretive trail highlights the rich deposits of colonial history and archaeology in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Pensapedia, the Pensacola encyclopedia article about Old Christ Church.. (Submitted on October 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.