BUILDING GRANTS AND ENDOWMENTS Agreeing with local authorities that the spiritual surroundings of Spaniards should be more imposing than those of Indians, the Crown approved numerous extraordinary grants to build, rebuild, and furnish churches, hospitals, friaries, and chapels in St. Augustine. Again, the royal alms were seconded by the donations of private persons in public life. In the spring of 1599 a fire swept through the city, destroying the parish church, the Franciscan church, and the friary. (Bushnell SS)