Padre Fray Juan De Padilla, first martyr for Christianity in the U.S. and in Texas. (original) (raw)

Juan de Padilla 1936 Centennial Marker front
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

1936 Centennial Marker Text
Front

Self Sacrifice of Padre Fray Juan De Padilla - 1544

1936 Centennial Marker Text
Back

Juan de Padilla

Built to the glorious and perpetual memory of Father Fray Juan De Padilla, O.F.M. Franciscan Missionary, first martyr for Christianity in the United States and in Texas

Accompanied the Coronado Expedition to Palo Duro Canyon, went with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his chosen party in search of La Gran Quivira

Returned soon and began his zealous labors for the civilizing and christianizing of the Wichita and other Indian nations in the region of the Texas Panhandle

His martyrdom occurred in 1544

Erected jointly by the State of Texas and the Texas Knights of Columbus in 1936.

Juan de Padilla 1936 Centennial Marker back close-up
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Juan de Padilla 1936 Centennial Marker back full view
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

Juan do Padilla 1936 Centennial Marker in Elmwood Park
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2009

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