Father Lopez Statue

The impressive bronze statue of Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales, chaplain of Menéndez’s fleet; celebrant of the First Mass here; and first missionary, stands eleven feet tall. Dr. Ivan Mestrovic, a native of Croatia, executed this heroic monument and portrays Father López in priestly vestments, preaching the Gospel. Dr. Mestrovic was Dean of Art at Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana when he fashioned this work. He is noted for several outstanding sculptures in many parts of the world, including The Notre Dame campus and the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Father López’ diary recorded the landing of Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Captain General of the Indies Fleet and Adelantado of Florida at the village of Seloy on September 8, 1565:

“On Saturday the eighth the General landed with many banners spread, to the sounds of trumpets and the salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a cross and went to meet him, singing the hymn “Te Deum Laudamus”. The General, followed by all who accompanied him, marched up to the cross, knelt and kissed it. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all that they saw done.”

Following Menéndez’ veneration of the cross, thus proclaiming this land in the name of God (Nombre de Dios), and raising of the King’s flag, thus proclaiming this land also in the name of King Phillip II of Spain, Father López celebrated Mass at a rustic altar made of wood. The sky served as the roof for the first parish Mass in the U.S. Father López is considered the first parish priest and the first pastor of the U.S. The feast for that day, September 8, 1565, was the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church continues to mark this feast on September 8 every year.