Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo facts for kids
_(cropped).jpg)
Light-brown-painted façade of capilla (chapel) and tiled and shortened-restored cemetery wall
|
|
 Location in Monterey Peninsula
|
|
| Location | 3080 Rio Road, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°32′34″N 121°55′09″W / 36.54278°N 121.91917°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo |
| English translation | The Mission of Saint Charles Borromeo of the Carmel River |
| Patron | Saint Charles Borromeo |
| Nickname(s) | "Father of the Alta California Missions" |
| Founding date | June 3, 1770 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Presidente Junípero Serra |
| Founding Order | Second |
| Headquarters of the Alta California Mission System | 1771–1815; 1819–1824; 1827–1830 |
| Military district | Third |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Esselen, Ohlone Costeño |
| Native place name(s) | Ekheya |
| Baptisms | 3,827 |
| Marriages | 1,032 |
| Burials | 2,837 |
| Secularized | 1834 |
| Returned to the Church | 1859 |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey |
| Current use | Parish Church/Minor Basilica |
| Official name: Carmel Mission | |
| Designated | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference no. | 66000214 |
| Designated | October 9, 1960 |
| Reference no. |
|
| Website | |
| http://carmelmission.org | |
The Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo is a famous old church in California. It is also known as the Carmel Mission. This mission is one of the most truly restored Spanish missions in the state. It is located near Carmel Valley, California. The mission is recognized as a very important historical site in the United States.
From 1797 to 1833, the Carmel Mission was the main center for all the missions in Alta California. Saint Junípero Serra led the mission from 1770 until he passed away in 1784. Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén also led the missions from here. He helped build nine more mission churches.
In 1833, the Mexican government took control of the mission buildings and lands. Over time, the mission structures started to fall apart. The chapel's roof was fixed in 1884, saving it from ruin. In 1886, the mission became part of the Diocese of Monterey. It has been a local church parish ever since.
Starting in 1931, a man named Harry Downie began restoring the mission. He worked on this project for 50 years! The Carmel Mission is special because it is the only Spanish mission in California with its original bell and bell tower. It also housed California's first library.
Contents
The History of Carmel Mission
The Carmel Mission was the second mission built by Franciscan missionaries in Upper California. Father Junípero Serra first started it in Monterey, California on June 3, 1770. It was named Mission San Carlos Borromeo after Charles Borromeo, an important church leader from Italy. This mission was also where the first Christian confirmation ceremony happened in Alta California.
Moving the Mission to Carmel Valley
Pedro Fages was the military governor of Alta California. He had his main office at the Presidio of Monterey. Father Serra and Governor Fages had different ideas about how to run things. Serra wanted the mission to be a peaceful place for the Native Americans. He felt the soldiers' behavior was not good for the mission's spiritual goals.
Serra believed the land in Carmel Valley, California was much better for farming. This area was where the Carmel River met Carmel Bay. In May 1771, the Spanish leader in charge, called the viceroy, agreed to move the mission.
The mission was set up in its new spot on August 1, 1771. The first church service happened on August 24. Father Serra moved into the new buildings on December 24. The mission's full name became Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo. It was close to the villages of the Rumsen Ohlone people. The old mission building in Monterey became the Royal Presidio's chapel. Today, it is the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo.
Father Serra's Main Home
The Carmel Mission became Father Serra's favorite mission. Since it was near Monterey, the capital of Alta California, he made it his main office. Father Serra passed away on August 28, 1784. He was buried under the chapel floor. After his death, Father Fermín Lasuén rebuilt the chapel. He used strong stone from the nearby Santa Lucia Mountains instead of adobe bricks.
Native American Life at the Mission
After the mission moved, the Franciscan priests began to baptize local Native Americans. By the end of 1771, the mission had 15 people and 22 baptized Native Americans.
Farming was difficult at first. For several years, the mission relied on supplies brought by ships. To encourage more baptisms, the missionaries tried to convert important leaders from the Esselen and Rumsen tribes. On May 9, 1775, Father Junípero Serra baptized Pach-hepas, a 40-year-old chief of the Excelen tribe.
The Esselen and Ohlone Indians who lived near the mission were baptized. They were then asked to live and work at the mission. They learned new skills like farming, herding animals, blacksmithing, and carpentry. However, life at the missions was very hard. Many Native Americans became sick, and their populations decreased. The number of people at Mission San Carlos reached its highest in 1795, but by 1823, it had dropped significantly.
Crops and Animals at the Mission
In the beginning, the mission depended on food from other missions and supply ships. By 1779, the Native Americans at Carmel Mission harvested many crops. They grew wheat, barley, beans, and corn. Four years later, they produced enough food to support 700 people. The mission also had over 500 cattle and sheep.
The Carmel Mission continued to grow throughout the late 1700s. By 1800, farming was at its best. The mission reported having 2,180 horses and cattle, and 4,160 smaller animals like sheep. They harvested about 3,700 bushels of grain each year. In December 1832, the mission had 2,100 cattle, 3,300 sheep, 410 horses, and 8 mules.
Changes and Abandonment
In 1833, the Mexican government decided to take control of all the missions and their lands. This was called "secularization." The government said that half of the mission lands should go to the Native American people. However, this promise was never kept. Most of the mission property was bought by government officials or their rich friends.
Without the Native Americans working, the priests could not keep the missions running. The mission buildings and lands were soon left empty. The Native Americans had to leave the mission. Some tried to go back to their old ways of life. Others found jobs working on farms and ranches.
By 1850, the Carmel Mission was almost completely ruined. The stone chapel was falling apart, and most of the adobe buildings were washing away. The roof of the chapel collapsed in 1852.
Restoring the Mission
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. The government agreed to honor old land grants. In 1853, the Roman Catholic Church asked for all the former mission lands to be returned. The state agreed to give back the original mission buildings, cemeteries, and gardens to the church.
When the church got full control in 1859, the mission was in ruins. In 1884, Father Angel Casanova raised money to replace the chapel's roof. This saved it until the 1930s. In 1931, Monsignor Philip Scher hired Harry Downie, a skilled cabinet maker. Harry Downie was known for restoring old Spanish items. He was first asked to fix some statues, but his job quickly grew. He became in charge of restoring the entire mission.
Two years later, the mission became a regular parish church. Harry Downie lived nearby and worked almost every day for nearly 50 years. He restored the mission, its buildings, walls, and grounds. He carefully studied the church's original design. He also collected real artifacts from all over California.
He first restored the priests' living quarters. Then, he fixed the chapel roof in 1936. Over the next five years, he restored the inside of the main church. In 1941, he oversaw the restoration of the old soldiers' quarters. In 1943, he began rebuilding a building that had been a dormitory for girls. This building was later used for classrooms for Junipero Serra Elementary School. In 1946, the old kitchen and blacksmith shop were rebuilt. Today, it is used as a chapel.
Harry Downie also helped restore other missions, like San Luis Obispo and San Juan Bautista. He was honored by the Pope and the King of Spain for his work.
In 1960, Pope John XXIII named the mission a minor basilica. In 1987, Pope John Paul II visited the mission during his U.S. tour.
The mission's original bell, called Ave Maria, was made in Mexico City in 1807. It was placed at the Mission in 1820. When the mission was closed in 1834, local Native Americans kept the bell safe. It was lost for a time but found again during restoration. It was put back in the mission bell tower in 1925.
Carmel Mission Today
_-_basilica_interior,_nave.jpg)
Thanks to Harry Downie's hard work, the Carmel Mission church is one of the most truly restored missions in California. It is a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is an active parish church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey.
Besides being a place of worship, the mission also hosts concerts, art shows, and talks. In 1986, a special organ with unique horizontal trumpets was added. Its beautiful design matches the Spanish style of the main altar.
The mission also serves as a museum. It preserves its own history and the history of the area. There are four museum galleries:
- The Harry Downie Museum, which shows how the mission was restored.
- The Munras Family Heritage Museum, about an important local family.
- The Jo Mora Chapel Gallery, which has art exhibits and a large sculpture by Jo Mora.
- The Convento Museum, which includes the cell where Father Serra lived and died.
The mission grounds were also home to the Junípero Serra School. This was a private Catholic school for kindergarten through 8th grade. It operated from 1943 until the end of the 2019–2020 school year.
Ongoing Restoration Efforts
From 2000 to 2007, private donations helped restore important original Spanish Colonial paintings inside the church. One key artwork restored was the Deposition, a painting ordered by Father Serra before he passed away. It now hangs near his tomb.
In 2008, the Friends of Historic Carmel Mission was formed. This group helps restore and preserve the mission. After restoring nine mission bells and many artifacts, the group became the Carmel Mission Foundation.
In 2012, the foundation started a $6.2 million project to restore the main church building, called the Basilica. It had not been touched since 1937 and was considered unsafe. This was the third major rebuilding of the Basilica since it was first built in 1797. Workers added wood and steel beams to make the roof stronger. They also drilled holes in the thick walls and put in steel rods to reinforce them. The bell tower dome was also strengthened and cleaned.
The project also updated the electrical system and added a fire safety system. New lighting and custom-made chandeliers were installed. Problems with the foundation were fixed, and all the tiles were matched and restored. The heating system was improved, and a restroom for people with disabilities was built. The Basilica restoration was finished in 2013. Over the next few years, the foundation funded the restoration of many museum artifacts and historic structures. This included the Muchado House, built in 1883.
In 2016, the Foundation paid $2.2 million to restore the central courtyard. The old concrete surface was removed. New water, fire, sewer, electrical, and communication lines were installed. Then, a stronger concrete surface was poured to match the original look.
The courtyard fountain was restored. The large Santa Maria style barbecue pits, used for community events since 1913, were reinforced. The gardens were replanted with native plants, and new outdoor lighting was added. The foundation also created the Serra Memorial Circle to honor donors.
The foundation worked to preserve the Our Lady of Bethlehem statue. This is believed to be one of the oldest statues in California. In 2020, the front perimeter wall started to fall apart. The foundation paid for its removal and the building of a temporary wall.
In late 2020, the Carmel Mission Foundation began a $4 million project. This project aims to restore and strengthen the century-old Downie Museum. This work will help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Carmel Mission's founding. The restoration removed restrooms, doubling the museum's inside space. Paint covering the stone around the fireplace, installed in 1920, was also removed.
The foundation is still looking for more funding. This money will help with seismic upgrades, other improvements, and restoring more historic buildings.
Local Legends
Stories about the Lost Padre Mines of the Carmel Mission are part of local folklore. These tales suggest that Native American communities knew about rich gold deposits hidden in the Santa Lucia Mountains. These legends have been passed down through generations. They add to the mystery of hidden treasures in the area. Many of these stories come from long-time residents of Carmel Valley. It is thought that some of the last descendants of the Mission Indians, who lived and worked there, helped keep these legends alive.
Notable Burials
_-_basilica,_interior,_grave_of_Junipero_Serra.jpg)
Several important people are buried in the church and its cemetery. This is known as the Carmel Mission Cemetery.
- Juan Crespí (1721–1782), a Spanish missionary and explorer.
- Fermín Lasuén (1736–1803), a Spanish missionary and explorer.
- José Antonio Roméu, (1742? – 1792) a Spanish governor of California.
- Junípero Serra (1713–1784), the founder of the Spanish missions in California and a Saint.
See also
- Spanish missions in California
- List of Spanish missions in California
- Cathedral of San Carlos Borroméo (also known as Royal Presidio Chapel), Monterey, California
- USNS Mission Carmel (AO-113), a ship built during World War II.
- USNS Mission San Carlos (AO-120), another ship built during World War II.
See also
In Spanish: Misión San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo para niños
- Spanish missions in California
- List of Spanish missions in California
- Cathedral of San Carlos Borroméo (also known as Royal Presidio Chapel), Monterey, California
- USNS Mission Carmel (AO-113), a ship built during World War II.
- USNS Mission San Carlos (AO-120), another ship built during World War II.
