Considering that coquina stone was not used for construction until well into the seventeenth century, we surmise that the earliest chapels were made of wood. These early chapels would have been susceptible to fires and hurricanes.

History records that when British Colonel John Palmer, a member of the Commons House of Assembly in South Carolina, attempted to subdue St. Augustine in 1728, the chapel of Our Lady of La Leche was built of stone. The Spanish fired at the chapel from the Castillo de San Marcos, to prevent Palmer from using the building to benefit his attack on the city. Bishop Augustin Verot, first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, rebuilt the chapel in 1875. Shortly thereafter, it was severely damaged by a hurricane. Bishop Michael Curley, who later became Archbishop of Baltimore, began the present restoration of the chapel in 1914.

The present chapel is small and simple, holding approximately thirty persons, and reflects the Spanish mission style of the sixteenth century. The chapel houses the statue of Our Lady of La Leche and is a special place of quiet prayer for those seeking Our Lady’s intercession. A statue of St. Peter, holding the keys of the kingdom, stands above the outside entrance and below a small mission bell.

There is no set schedule for Mass or confessions in the chapel. Mass is celebrated when priests visit for parish pilgrimages, weddings or other special occasions. Weddings and baptisms are permitted in the chapel, but must be coordinated through the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine at (904) 824-2806 or at cathparish@gmail.com as well as the office of the Mission director at (904) 824-2809 or at shrine@missionandshrine.org. Many visitors purchase candles from the nearby Shrine Gift Shop and place them in the chapel in order that their prayers may continue beyond their visit.

Memorials in this area include a rustic altar commemorating the first Mass celebrated here, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi recognizing the work and sacrifices of the Franciscan missionaries, a statue of St. Joseph, a bell tower, a fountain, several religious plaques, and monuments of the seven sorrows of Mary. In this same area are numerous tombstones dating from the 1800’s, including those of some of the founding Sisters of St. Joseph. The motherhouse for the Sisters of St. Joseph is located at:

241 St. George Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084