The Cross in the Sand: The Early Catholic Church in Florida, 1513-1870

by Michael Gannon

The story of the early centuries of the Catholic Church in Florida, the oldest establishment of the Christian faith in the United States, is one of the most remarkable in Florida’s more than 400 years of history. Michael Gannon first traces Florida’s discovery by Catholics, their subsequent explorations, the Spanish settlements, and the evangelization of the Indians, followed by the tragic end of the missions and the temporary collapse of Catholic ascendancy during the British period. The story continues with the reappearance of Catholicism among Minorcan immigrants; the establishment by the Church of Florida’s (and the nation’s) first schools and hospitals; the schism of the St. Augustine’s Church Wardens in the 1820s and 1830s; the arrival of Florida’s first bishop, Augustine Verot, in 1858, and beyond. Across these pages stride Indians from the woods and shores; priests, conquistadors, and statesmen; Spaniards and Minorcans, Unionists and Confederates, mothers and nuns, the rich and the poor, the innocent and the repentant. Illustrated with maps and rare old sketches and photographs, The Cross in the Sand is as exciting and easy to read as a novel. The book’s literary grace is matched by its historical authenticity, because Gannon has used all available manuscripts as well as the best secondary sources of this and past centuries.

Genres: History

210 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1965

About the author

(1928-April, 10, 2017)

Michael Gannon was a University of Florida history professor who was also a recognized expert on Florida history, particularly from its Spanish colonial founding through the Civil War. He spent most of his career in Florida.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Domenick Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is definately a great book for the general Catholic history of Florida and history of Florida in General.The first half of the book is quite amazing and Gannon gives a great anaylsis on the Conquistadors and heros that came to this land. He also explains well the decline of the mission and other interesting facts.

[Daniel Alvers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this work on the early Catholic missions in Florida. It was very interesting to jump into the history of my home state and learn a little about my heritage.

[Charles Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published by the University of Florida in 1965 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the first successful settlement in Florida by the Spanish. It filled numerous gaps in my understanding the history of Catholicism in Florida in several key areas. First, the Patronato Real or Royal Patronage of the Spanish Crown insured that missionaries would accompany every attempt at settlement with the intention of carrying out the Crown's stated desire that native populations should be proselytized in the Roman Catholic Faith. Second, the success of the Order of Friars Minor--the Franciscans--in accomplishing that mission over two centuries of unceasing effort was a success story unrivaled except, perhaps, in the Jesuit reductions of Argentina and Paraguay. Third, all of those achievements were wiped out in the late 17th century by raids on the native Christians and their priests, incursions by English colonials led by James Moore, a governor of the Carolinas. Moore's slaughter of tens of thousands of native Americans and their missionaries is a dark chapter of American history that is not well known. Finally, every time that Florida changed hands, which was frequently, the number of Catholics in Florida generally dropped to zero, and the whole Catholic missionary endeavor would need to be restarted. The last chapters, which were out the purview of my research, were actually the most interesting, and the author's annotated bibliography was both helpful and interesting. Anyone who is interested in the history of Florida would be delighted with this book.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Cross in the Sand" is a comprehensive introduction to the rich history of the Catholic Church in Florida. The blood and sweat of our forefathers nourished this ground, enabling the flowers of Florida's faith to bloom.

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty dry read, although it isn't meant to be more than just a chronological history. Extremely biased account of the Catholic church, however, with much bigotry towards native Americans and their cultures.