A Walk By Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Downtown Jacksonville

After a meeting in downtown I decided to take the long way back to my car. Temperatures of close to 100 made it a quick walk but I managed to snap a couple photos on my way.

Downtown Jacksonville boosts several beautiful old churches and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church one of my favorites. I love the tall spires and the red roof.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in north Florida. The original church was founded in 1854 and just a few years later in 1863 it became the victim of the Civil War when Union soldiers looted and burned the building. In 1871 a new building was dedicated but disaster stuck once again when in 1901 the building was destroyed in the Great Fire that consumed downtown Jacksonville.

The Gothic style building we see today was constructed in 1910. One hundred and six  years later the church draws hundreds of people each week for daily mass, confessions and weddings.

My photo taken on my cell phone doesn't do the beautiful building justice. You can take a virtual tour of the exterior, interior and the stain glass windows by clicking the link below.

Church Tours - Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

No matter where you are always take the time for a short walk and just see what you find. There are treasures around every corner!

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

121 E Duval Street

Jacksonville, Florida

Corner of E Duval and Ocean Street




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Inspired Sunday - Prayer Book Cross in Golden Gate Park

While visiting the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco we happened upon a sign for the Prayer Book Cross. Curious we veered off the main path and headed up hill and what a lovely sight we found.

The Prayer Book Cross

The 60 foot sandstone cross was a gift from the Church of England in tribute to the first English language sermon and the first use of the Book of Common Prayer in California   Erected in 1894 on one of the highest points it towered over the park and was originally intended to be seen from the sea. Today the cross is almost completely hidden by the trees. The cross isn't visible from the road and if it wasn't for the small sign posted we wouldn't have known it was there. 

Engraved on the front:

Presented to Golden Gate Park at the opening of the Midwinter Fair January 1, AD 1894 - As a memorial of the service held on the shore of Drakes Bay about Saint John Baptists Day June 24 Anno Domini 1579 by Francis Fletcher priest of the Church of England and chaplain of Sir Francis Drake chronicler of the service.

Engraved on the back:

First Christian service in the English tongue on our coast. First use of Book of Common Prayer in our country - One of the first recorded missionary prayers on our continent. 

Location

The cross is located in the San Francisco's Golden Gate Park above Rainbow Falls on John F Kennedy Drive.