Avero House (St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine), St. Augustine

The Avero House is a historic landmark dedicated to the memory of the 400 Greeks who arrived in the city in 1768. These pioneers were on their way to help settle the colony of New Smyrna, Florida, but after facing ten difficult years, the survivors sought refuge in Saint Augustine, where they gathered in the Avero House for worship. This group comprised the first permanent settlement of Greeks on the continent.

The building is locally significant as one of 30 remaining houses within the historic district that pre-date 1821. Constructed in 1749, the Avero House is a two-story rectangular block with an open loggia on the southeastern portion of the lot. The walls are made of coquina stone laid in roughly horizontal courses with lime mortar, which are plastered both inside and outside. At the flat roof, there are several copper scuppers, and one coquina masonry chimney with two flues.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America purchased the building in 1966 and restored it to its 1730s appearance. Today the Avero House is open to the public as the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, which honors the first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768. The Shrine includes the Saint Photios Chapel, featuring Byzantine iconography and the relics of 18 saints of the Early Church. Additionally, there is a museum with permanent exhibits about the life of early Greek settlers as well as temporary exhibits that are changed out annually.

In recognition of its historical significance, the Avero House was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1972. Visitors to Saint Augustine can experience this important piece of Greek-American history and learn about the challenges and achievements of the first Greek settlers in America.