1800’s

Florida becomes territory of the United States.

Florida becomes a state.

Florida made a vicariate apostolic under the leadership of Bishop Agustin Verot, bishop of Savannah.

Sisters of Mercy arrive from Rhode Island and open the state’s first Catholic convent school for white girls. The sisters also are allowed to give religious instruction to slaves.

The Civil War begins.

Immaculate Conception Parish in Jacksonville and St. Michael Parish in Fernandina Beach are burned by Union troops.

The Civil War ends.

Sisters of St. Joseph arrive from France to educate newly freed black slaves.

Diocese of St. Augustine established; Agustín Verot named bishop; St. Augustine Parish elevated to Cathedral. The diocese has three priests, three parishes, seven missions and 1,328 Catholics.

St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

John Moore named bishop to oversee about 10,000 Catholics, 20 parishes and 12 priests.

St. Mary’s Home for Children is established in Jacksonville through the efforts of Sister Mary Ann Hoare.

The Cathedral of St. Augustine is destroyed by fire. It reopens one year later with a new bell tower funded by railroad and hotel magnate Henry Morrison Flagler.