Jacksonville, Fla. – It happened 449 years ago, Admiral Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Spain, landed in an area of what is known today as Mission Nombre de Dios, 27 Ocean Ave., St. Augustine. That landing led to the founding of the city and began the establishment of the Catholic faith in the continental United States.

The Diocese of St. Augustine will celebrate with the City of St Augustine, the 449^th Founder’s Day Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 9:50 a.m., at Mission Nombre de Dios, with a historical reenactment of the landing.  

Following the landing at approximately 10 a.m., a ceremonial kissing of the cross, raising of the Spanish flag and a proclamation read by a city official will take place.

Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the rustic altar, just as the original expedition’s chaplain, Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales did on Sept. 8, 1565, at around 10:45 a.m.

Following Mass, those attending will process to the statue of Father López where a plaque honoring the statue’s listing in the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service of the Department of Interior, Washington, D.C., will be unveiled and blessed by Bishop Estévez.

The local Honor Guard provided by the Knights of Columbus will be joined by the Knights of Columbus-Father López Council of Pinellas Park, Fla., celebrating the Council’s 50^th anniversary. 

The City of St. Augustine is an important part of American history, and predates our country’s oldest colonies, including Jamestown and Williamsburg. It was established by the Spanish and serves as the oldest, continually occupied European settlement north of Mexico. It’s the site of America’s first parish – known today as the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine.