St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Father Miguel O’Reilly House
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 14, 2026
1. Father Miguel O’Reilly House Marker
Built during St. Augustine's First Spanish Period (1565-1763), this house is one of the city's oldest structures. The first documentary evidence of a structure here appears on the 1764 de la Puente town map. Initially crafted with tabby, a cement mixture of oyster shells. it was expanded during the British period with coquina stone. In 1785, this house was acquired by Father Miguel O'Reilly, an Irish priest devoted to the Spanish crown. It was used as the Catholic Rectory and meeting place during construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. O'Reilly willed the house in 1812 to the Catholic Church for use by a religious order dedicated to education. In 1866, Bishop Augustin Vérot offered the house to the Sisters of St. Joseph if they would travel from Le Puy. France to educate emanci- pated African Americans. The Sisters converted the house into a convent and schoolhouse, opening its doors to students in January 1867. Ten years later, Bishop Vérot transferred the property to the Sisters, fulfilling O'Reilly's bequest. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the O'Reilly House
this page online
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2025 by The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Augustine. (Marker Number F-1307.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1867.
Location. 29° 53.424′ N, 81° 18.674′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is at the intersection of Aviles Street and Bravo Lane when traveling south on Aviles Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 Aviles St, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast and in Greater Jacksonville. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 14, 2026
2. Father Miguel O’Reilly House Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The O’Reilly House (here, next to this marker); Living Legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Father Miguel O'Reilly House (here, next to this marker); Cofradia Archaeological Site (a few steps from this marker); Don Toledo/Gaspar Papy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Solana House (within shouting distance of this marker); Signal From Shore (within shouting distance of this marker); Ximenez-Fatio House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cofradia Site Coquina Well (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . O’Reilly House Museum. (Submitted on July 17, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 14, 2026
3. Father Miguel O’Reilly House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
