Tag Archives: Mission Nombre de Dios

Founding of America’s First Catholic Parish St. Augustine proudly calls itself the first permanent European settlement and city in the continental United States. It was founded by for Spain 450 years ago, on Sept. 8, 1565. The Spaniards named their new home St. Augustine in honor of the saint on whose feast day (August 28) they sighted land. According to historian Michael Gannon, Ph.D., distinguished service professor emeritus of history at the University of Florida, Menendez’ expedition, “made a landing somewhere in the vicinity of the site where (Name of God) stands today. Accompanying him were 500 soldiers, 200 sailors, …