Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine — Attraction in Saint Augustine

The Catholic Church of St. Augustine, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, is one of the most significant historical and spiritual treasures in the city of St. Augustine, Florida. This temple, considered the oldest Catholic church in the United States, was built between 1793 and 1797 during the second Spanish period in Florida. Designed by architect Mariano de la Rocque, the cathedral reflects a blend of Spanish and colonial styles that give it a unique beauty.

The site where the church stands has even deeper historical roots. Since 1565, when Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine, Franciscan missionaries established Catholicism in the region. This place became a spiritual hub visited by key figures of the time, including colonial governors, converted Indigenous leaders, and later, notable individuals from the American period.

As we toured the church, we enjoyed the peace and beauty emanating from its architecture and history. The day was sunny, with a light breeze that made our visit unforgettable. Inside, we were captivated by the high wooden ceilings, intricate stained-glass windows, and the main altar, a treasure brought from Spain. The frescoes adorning the walls narrate episodes of Christianity’s arrival in Florida, offering a visual connection to the past.

The Cathedral Basilica holds some fascinating secrets. For instance, the bell tower houses the original bells brought from Cuba in the 17th century, some of the oldest in the Americas. We also learned that the church survived several fires, the most devastating in 1887, when much of the structure was destroyed. However, thanks to the community’s efforts, it was restored to its current splendor.

Our visit was not only a historical exploration but also a spiritual experience. Quiet prayer areas and friendly guides enriched our tour. Every corner of the temple seemed to tell a story, from the inscriptions on the tombstones to the details of the reredos.

In summary, the Catholic Church of St. Augustine is more than a place of worship: it is a testament to faith, history, and resilience through the centuries. We had a wonderful day at this iconic site, immersed in its beauty and legacy. It is undoubtedly a visit that will remain in...

I attended 5pm mass Sunday, while the architecture and historic building looks great and all... There are things I perceived to be not surprising. I say this with no judgement only an observation. It seems like the congregants there don't exactly know what to believe in, they can say Jesus as many times they want to, for them he is found in a book. They boast so much on the history of being America's first bloody parish, but do they really believe in Jesus or in their identity as Roman Catholic? There was no reverence just mechanical repetition with congregants standing there looking dead and miserable including the priests (seems they really don't want to be there). When I was in line to receive a blessing, I actually was shocked to see communion served by random parishioners and when I came up a man looked at me dry and pretty stubborn and said "bless you" in a harsh dry tone. So, you see the spiritual health here is non-existent, defending tradition will not let you see God face to face. The cathedral displays art of Spanish arrival to La Florida but not scenes from the New Testament? How did submitting to Rome became a pre-requisite for Christ? There is no being "Roman" to know Christ. Do they worship power more than humility? The conquest of the Americas provides the answer. Do not be surprised to see why Christianity is declining massively in the West. It isn't Christianity at all. I am no protestant as I say the same thing for evangelical protestants, all but decay...

We are parishioners of this church and unfortunately have had pretty bad experiences over the last couple years.. We were excited to see a new young priest start at this church a few years back since my biggest complaint is that this church has always been way too “old school”. He has been great but unfortunately some others in the church continue the antiquated attitude. The main issues we have had all stems from one older female usher who seems to have a personal issue with children and young adults.. Almost every visit to church has turned me further and further away from wanting to be a parishioner. I have seen her repeatedly belittle parents in the cry room, she is rude to tourists coming in to check out the church, she has loudly reprimanded my young children for whispering in the CRY room, I watched her force a young mother to wake up her newborn and remove her from her stroller because “it was a fire hazard” the mother then had to leave because the baby was inconsolable.. I have also on 3 occasions this year seen young parishioners be accused of falsely stealing the Eucharist and be publicly embarrassed in front of the whole church.. this church staff is going in the opposite direction of what the next generation of Catholics want out of a church and for that I will most likely never go back and give a penny...