The Mission of Nombre de Dios traces its origins to the founding of the City of St. Augustine, America’s oldest City, in 1565. On September 8, 1565 Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. It was here that Menendez knelt to kiss a wooden cross presented to him by Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, chaplain of his expedition. It was on these grounds that Fr. Lopez would celebrate the first parish Mass and begin the work at America’s first Mission. It was at this sacred spot that the Spanish settlers would begin the devotion to Our Lady of la Leche that continues into the present.

Prince of Peace Votive Church
Most visitors to Mission Nombre de Dios begin their tour or pilgrimage at the Prince of Peace Votive Church, located at the San Marco Avenue entrance to the grounds in St. Augustine. The church was built in 1965

The Great Cross
The Great Cross, made of stainless steel and rising 208 feet above the Matanzas marshes in St. Augustine, stands as a sentinel over the Mission and a Beacon of Faith for all who pass by. It was erected at the direction of Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley and was dedicated during the diocesan Eucharistic Congress of October 1966. Like the Prince of Peace Church, the Great Cross celebrates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Mission Nombre de Dios.

For a more extensive history of Mission Nombre de Dios, visit http://www.missionandshrine.org. There you will find information on the facilities of the Mission and Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, educational tours for pilgrimages and school groups and The Shrine Gift Shop.

Location
27 Ocean Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-2809 or
Toll Free at 1-800-342-6529
Fax: (904) 829-0819
Email: shrine@missionandshrine.org

Director of Mission & Shrine
Eric P. Johnson
Email: eric@missionandshrine.org

Assistant Manager
Laurie Barrancotto