A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway
Mission of Nombre de Dios, FL

The Mission Nombre de Dios is considered by some to be one of America's most sacred and historic sites. Here, over 400 years ago, Father Lopez de Mendoza Grajales offered the first Mass in America's first colonial city. It was the beginning of the permanent history of Christianity in what is now the United States. This mission site, which remains in religious use today and contains an early cemetery, is also located close to the landing site of the Pedro Menendez de Aviles expedition and the first Spanish village in Florida. This Mission settlement constituted a highly significant part of Spain's colonial presence in Florida since it was established soon after St. Augustine in 1565. The tall cross marking the mission's location was erected in 1965 to commemorate the St. Augustine Quadricentennial.