In April of 1513, Ponce de Leon sailed for the country of Spain hoping to find riches and land to conquer in the new world.
1545-1563
Captain General Menendez sails from Cadiz, Spain with 19 ships and 1,100 men. Storms force them back and they sail again several days later with 1,504 men, women and children.
After traveling by sea for three months, on August 28, 1565 which is St. Augustine of Hippo's feat day, Pedro Menendez de Aviles saw the Florida coastline.
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The first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Florida on September 14, 1566.
Father Martinez was martyred in 1566.
Franciscan friars come to St. Augustine, Florida in 1573.
Sir Francis Drake, an Englishman, was an exceptional sailor and a fierce soldier.
In the early 1600s, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine established the first Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. The original chapel and several reconstructions were damaged by storms and attacks. The chapel was rebuild in 1875 by Augustin Verot, first bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. It too fell to the ravages of a major hurricane. The present chapel was reconstructed in 1915 and enshrines a replica of the original statue of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto – Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery. Throughout its existence, the Shrine has remained a comforting place of prayer for mothers-to-be, for families, for special intentions and for those seeking to strengthen their faith.
The Franciscan missionaries opened a seminary in St. Augustine in 1605; it was the first school in the United States.
In 1650, the Sisters of St. Joseph are founded in Le Puy, France by Fr. Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ
In 1672, Work began on the Castillo de San Marcos and was completed in 1695.
First Catholic Priests ordained in the future United States.
The O'Reilly House was constructed in 1691. It is one of the oldest structures in St. Augustine, with only the fort being older. Both the House and the Castillo de San Marcos are built form coquina and tabby. The o"Reilly House has only had seven owners during its 322 year history.
In 1702, Governor James Moore of Carolina attacks St. Augustine and the inhabitants seek refuge in the Castillo de San Marcos. Few buildings remain.
Spain cedes Florida to British in exchange for Cuba
1,300 people of Mediterranean orgins were brought to Florida in 1768 as indentured servants to farm an indigo plantation in New Smyrna, Fl.
In 1783 Great Britain returned Florida to Spain.
Father Miguel O' Reilly was an Irish priest in the service of the Spanish crown during the Second Spanish Period. In 1784, O'Reilly came to St. Augustine and within the next year buys the property for a church (the current Cathedral site) and rectory. The O'Reilly House becomes his parish home where he mentors a young priest named Fr. Felix Varela. Fr. Varela becomes famous for his fight for Cuban independence and for his devotion to the Irish immigrants in New York City.
As pastor of St. Augustine, Father Thomas Hassett had done great things for St. Augustine, such as opening the first free school for boys. Father Miguel O'Reilly was the next pastor of St. Augustine. Fr. O'Reilly would go on to help educate many more students.
Father O'Reilly Dedicates New Parish Church in St. Augustine
Florida becomes a territory of the United States in 1821
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