Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo, also known as Carmel Mission, was founded June 3, 1770 by Father Junípero Serra at the Royal Presidio of Monterey Bay. The mission was named for Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, Italy, in the 16th Century. In 1771, the mission was moved five miles south, to the other side of Monterey Peninsula, near the “Rio Carmel”. Once again, Father Serra intended to put some distance between the Presidio of Monterey and the new Mission. The first church at the Monterey Presidio remained in use for the soldiers of the garrison until 1794, when it was replaced by the structure today known as “San Carlos Cathedral”, “Historic Royal Presidio Chapel of Monterey” or “Old Mission Chapel of Monterey”.
Carmel Mission was the second mission founded by Father Junípero Serra in California. The present stone church was begun under President-Padre Fermin Francisco de Lasuén in 1793 and built with native sandstone coming from the nearby Santa Lucia Mountains. It was dedicated in 1797 and replaced the original adobe church.
The mission served as mission chain headquarters between 1770 and 1803. From Carmel Mission, Father Serra looked after the growing chain of missions until his death in 1784. He is buried within the walls of the original adobe church around which the new stone church was built.
In its beautiful setting against the sea and river, and with its strong sense of history and appealing architecture, Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo is considered one of the most beautiful California missions and satisfies the student and the visitor as no other mission can.
Secularized in 1834 the mission was returned to the Catholic Church in 1859. Major renovations were made in 1884, 1924 and 1936. The beautiful Moorish tower still visible today is a perfect example of the early architectural Spanish influence.
Location of Mission San Carlos Borroméo
3080 Rio Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, United States