St. Francis of Assisi - St. Augustine, FL - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Smithsonian Inventory Description: "St. Francis stands barefoot with a mustache and goatee, wearing a Franciscan habit, with his arms folded in front of his chest. The figure is mounted on a multitiered stepped base." A sign adjacent to the statue reads: St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226/This shrine erected by the Diocese of St. Augustine to recognize the Missionary Labors of countless Franciscan Priests, Brothers and Sisters in this territory from the first Spanish period to our day./October 1981.

This statue of St. Francis of Assisi is located at the Mission of Nombre de Dios, which 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.

The Mission of Nombre de Dios is a very lovely and peaceful location in St. Augustine and well worth a visit. The site is the location of shrines and statues all amidst beautiful trees and vegetation. Also at this location is a 208-foot tall Great Cross that was erected in 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first parish mass. Be sure to make a stop here if you're ever in the area.

TITLE: St. Francis of Assisi ARTIST(S): Unknown DATE: Dedicated 1981. MEDIUM: Base: concrete and stone. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS FL000557 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located at the Nombre de Dios Mission, San Marco Avenue at Ocean Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: The Smithsonian Inventory description appears to be accurate.

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Date Logged Log   06/25/2018 wildernessmama visited it 03/02/2015 debbado visited it 09/03/2013 the federation visited it 05/27/2013 whttiger visited it 11/22/2012 sfwife visited it

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