On September 8th, 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on the shores of Florida and claimed the territory for Spain and the Catholic Church. This marked the founding of the city of Saint Augustine and the Nombre de Dios Mission where Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales celebrated the first Mass on modern-day US soil.
These early Spanish settlers began a devotion to Our Lady of La Leche, Our Lady of Milk, which continues today 447 years later at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in downtown Saint Augustine.
This is the interior of the Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche. The present chapel is the fourth building on this foundation, the first one having been built in 1615.
Statue of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales who celebrated the first Mass at the Nombre de Dios Mission. Behind is a cross commemorating the 400th anniversary of the event.
Depiction of the arrival of the Spanish to Florida. A record of the event by Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales reads, “On Saturday the 8th the General Menendez landed with many banners spread to the sounds of trumpets and salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a Cross and went to meet him singing the hymn Te Deum Laudamus. The General followed by all who accompanied him marched up to the cross knelt, and kissed it. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all they saw done.
Cemetery at the Nombre de Dios Mission
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