CARMEL MISSION BASILICA

​Mission Carmel Basilica one of the most important missions in all of the California Mission chain is on the National Register of Historic Places and is both a National and State Historic Landmark. The mission served as the headquarters for the entire mission chain from 1770 to 1803. It is the final resting place of Saint Junipero Serra the founding father of the California Missions.

INFORMATION

WARNING:  None

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: 3080 Rio Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
PHONE: (831) 624-1271
WEBSITE: carmelmission.org
ADMISSION:  Please see website 
HOURS OF OPERATIONS: Please see website
RECOMMENDATIONS: Go during the week if possible, less people
BEST TIME TO GO: Anytime

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Mission Carmel was founded 1770 on the shores of Monterey however it was later moved to its current location near the ocean mouth of the Carmel River in 1771 which had a freshwater source and better land for growing crops. It was the second mission founded, Mission San Diego being the first. Its name after Saint Charles of Borromeo, a 16th-Century Italian cardinal.

​At its highest record, the mission reported a population of 876 in 1795. It had livestock heard of 2,100 cattle and 3,300 sheep by 1832. Its extensive agricultural field produced a harvest of over 154,000 bushels of grain and produce. The produce and livestock were attended by the Rumsen bribelet and Esselen Indians who reside at the mission.

​After Fr. Serra's death, Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen continued the work of Fr. Serra by founding more missions to add to the mission chain. He also oversaw the construction of the Stone Church with the tremendous work and effort by the mission Indians. The Stone Church took 14 years to complete and it still stands today. The stone church was Fr. Serra's final wish. The Stone Church is made out of sandstone, the walls are five feet thick at the base.

The mission fell into disrepair when the mission was secularized in 1834 and the fathers lost control of the mission. The church roof collapsed, and the land was sold. For thirty years the mission was neglected. By the end of 1880s attention was brought to the mission. The restoration of the mission began.

Today the mission is an active Catholic Parish, museum, and school. It was Father Serra's favorite mission. Pope John XXII changed the status of Mission Carmel to a Minor Basilica in 1969. Visit the Carmel Mission Basilica and found out if this is our favorite mission.

UNIQUE FEATURES

FIRST LIBRARY
The mission was home to California's first library, 30 books to be exact.

FR. SERRA'S FINAL RESTING PLACE
Father Serra passed away in his bed. Fr. Serra's remains are located next to the altar in the basilica.

CENOTAPH
Serra Memorial Cenotaph was sculpted by Jo Mora in 1924. It consists of an empty sarcophagus, a sculpture of Fr. Serra, and three other fathers surrounding the sarcophagus.

The Sarcophagus is carved from locally quarried travertine marble with bas-relief panels, which are the images on the side of the sarcophagus. One of the panels shows the attack by Indians on the San Diego Mission. There is also the deception of the first mass celebrated by Father Serra on a rustic altar in Monterey. Another panel shows the first baptism of Carmel Mission.
Fr. Serra's sculpture lays on top of the sarcophagus, it is a life-size bronze sculpture depicting him as if he is asleep. He is wearing his robe and rosary but no sandals.
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The three other sculptures are Fr. Juan Crespi, Fr. Fermin Lasuen, and Fr. Julian Lopez. Fr. Crespi was Fr. Serra's closes associate and he is the one bending forward just above Fr. Serra's head. Fr. Lasuen continued Fr. Serra's work and construction of the stone church at Mission Carmel after Fr. Serra's death. Not much information about Fr. Lopez, only that he was a friar at Carmel Mission.

PHOTOS