Near Lyons in Rice County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fray Juan de Padilla
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
1. Fray Juan de Padilla Marker
This Cross is erected to the memory of Father Padilla, Franciscan Missionary, who stood with Coronado at the erection of the first Christian Cross on these prairies. Father Padilla devoted his life to the service of the Cross and to the Indians of Quivira and suffered a martyr's death in that service in the year of our Lord 1542.
The symbol on the Cross is inscribed, Jesus Christ, Victor, and expresses the victory of faith and sacrifice. The square, quartered by the Cross, denotes the four corners of the World brought into Christian unity when Father Padilla carried the Cross of Christianity to the center of the New World.
This cross rededicated by the
Knights of Columbus of Kansas
in celebration of their Centennial in the
Jubilee Year.
September 17, 2000
Erected 1950 by Knights of Columbus of Kansas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1542.
Location. 38° 20.851′ N, 98° 16.592′ W. Marker is near Lyons, Kansas, in Rice County. It is on Avenue M (U.S. 56) near 12th Road, on the left when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Land of Quivira (within shouting distance of this marker); Cow Creek Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice County Historical Mural (approx. 3.9 miles away); Civil War and Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Workman Park (approx. 4.1 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 4.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); Cooper Hall (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lyons.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Coronado and Quivira (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Juan de Padilla. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on March 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Francisco Juan de Padilla in 1912 Kansas Cyclopedia. KSGenWeb website entry (Submitted on March 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
2. Fray Juan de Padilla Cross Rededication Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
3. Fray Juan de Padilla Marker and Cross
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
4. Fray Juan de Padilla Cross
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 28, 2023
5. Fray Juan de Padilla Cross
This cross marks the farthest point of Coronado's expedition, and the first place where the Catholic faith came to America.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,187 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on March 26, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.
