Located on the same site since 1672, ‘America’s First Parish’ continues to serve not only many families who call the Cathedral Parish their spiritual home, but also thousands of visitors who come to ‘America’s Oldest City’ for a spiritual pilgrimage or just to visit the beauty of the site.

Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc. has been working alongside the Diocese of St. Augustine to create a master plan for the private rectory and Cathedral event spaces located directly behind the historic cathedral.

The revitalized spaces include a large event patio and fountain/green wall, green roof, lush green spaces, and seating alcoves for use by the Priests and Bishop in residence. Densely planted gardens and courtyard walls creating both a welcoming and secluded space for contemplation and celebration.

As a worldwide ministry, this campus headquarters serves as the gateway for over 40,000 employees and volunteers. Frederick Halback was responsible for leading the landscape master planning, including details and studies resulting in the concept of gardens of faith being integrated throughout the campus. Phase 1 development included the arrival road, parking, and main headquarters office buildings surrounding a central open space.

Executed by Frederick Halback as Founder & Senior Principal of Herbert-Halback, Inc.

Founded in 1889, this cemetery is one of the oldest in the state. Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc. has developed a master plan to guide the Catholic diocese for the next century of growth. The phased plan outlines sustainable expansion of the remaining property while also developing standards for the appropriate preservation of the existing historic elements.

Elements of the plan, which ML+H have been designed and are implementing, include a fully restored Bishop’s Mausoleum and Plaza, the Holy Family Columbarium, new entrance gateways, perimeter fencing, cultural internment areas, Stations of the Cross garden stream, and a new welcome center and sales office.

The story of the St. Ambrose Parish extends back to the early 1800s, and those early members’ roots in Florida extended even further back to the Minorcan community that settled in St. Augustine in the 1700s.

Marquis Latimer + Halback, Inc. worked with St. Ambrose Catholic Church to develop a five-phase master plan that responds to the growth of the parish but protects the historic character of the church, as well. The master plan provides improved site circulation and access, additional parking and landscaped areas, construction of a new parish hall, and a new elementary and middle school campus.