Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Augustine

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine is less a quiet corner of worship and more a monumental reminder of how one man reshaped an entire city. Industrialist Henry Flagler, best known as co-founder of Standard Oil and architect of Florida鈥檚 Gilded Age boom, had it built in 1889 after the death of his daughter, Jenny Louise Benedict. Finished the following year, the church was meant as a memorial, but also became Flagler鈥檚 own final resting place鈥攈is mausoleum lies here alongside his wife, daughter, and granddaughter.

Architects Carr猫re and Hastings, the same team behind Flagler鈥檚 luxury hotels, designed the church in Venetian Renaissance Revival style, with clear inspiration drawn from Venice鈥檚 Saint Mark鈥檚 Basilica. Its 150-foot copper dome, turquoise against the Florida sky, makes it one of the most recognizable silhouettes in St. Augustine. The fa莽ade mixes coquina stone and terra cotta trim, while a rose window and triple-arched portico give the entrance an Italianate grandeur that feels as much about ambition as faith.

Step inside and the impression deepens. Marble flooring, mahogany pews, and stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes create a space where craftsmanship speaks loudly. The interior is rich with mosaics, murals, and intricate woodwork, while the Skinner pipe organ adds its own voice to the grandeur. Every detail reflects Flagler鈥檚 determination to leave behind more than railroads and hotels鈥攕omething permanent, solemn, and beautiful.

The Memorial Presbyterian Church remains an active congregation and a landmark that bridges spiritual life with the story of St. Augustine鈥檚 transformation. For visitors, it鈥檚 a chance to admire a dome that rivals Venice, marvel at stained glass awash with Florida light, and stand in the place where Henry Flagler, the man who reimagined the city, chose to rest. It鈥檚 as much a chapter of history as it is a place of worship.

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Sight Name: Memorial Presbyterian Church
Sight Location: St. Augustine, USA (See walking tours in St. Augustine)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

St. Augustine Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in St. Augustine, Florida

Create Your Own Walk in St. Augustine

Creating your own self-guided walk in St. Augustine is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

St. Augustine Introduction Walking Tour

It is said that the first-ever Thanksgiving meal took place in 1565, when Spanish explorers led by Pedro Men茅ndez held a Catholic Mass and a communal meal with the Timucua people in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.

Poised on Florida鈥檚 northeastern coast, the city holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded settlement in the United States. Its story... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

St. Augustine's Historical Houses Tour

A great deal of St. Augustine's storied past is set in stone in the form of houses that have been inhabited for over 400 years. The number of historic homes found in the city offer a glimpse into its colorful culture with European roots.

Among the most notable of them is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, originally as a boarding place for wealthy travelers, today this property serves... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

St. Augustine Early Settlements Tour

The city of St. Augustine on the northeastern coast of Florida is considered the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. It was founded by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 8, 1565, and served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years.

One of the most significant early European sites in the city is the Castillo de San... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

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