The Carmel Mission Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2008 to fund the restoration and preservation of the historic properties and artifacts of The Carmel Mission (Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Rio Carmelo) located in Carmel, California. The Mission is part of the National Registry of Historic Places, a U.S. National Landmark and a California State Landmark. It is a significant part of California’s heritage. The mission, first established on June 3, 1770, in nearby Monterey and was named for Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, Italy USA travel destinations. It was the site of the first Christian confirmation in Alta California,Mission Carmel has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. In 1987, Pope John Paul II visited the Mission as part of his U.S. tour. It is also an active parish church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey.
History
The mission, first established on June 3, 1770, in nearby Monterey, (near the native village of Tamo), was named for Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, Italy. It was the site of the first Christian confirmation in Alta California. In May, 1771, the viceroy approved Serra’s petition to relocate the mission to its current location near the present-day town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.[14] Serra’s goal was to put some distance between the mission’s neophytes and the Presidio of Monterey, (the headquarters of Pedro Fages, who served as military governor of Alta California between 1770 and 1774, with whom Serra was engaged in a heated power struggle). The original site continued to operate as the “Royal Presidio Chapel” and later became theCathedral of San Carlos Borromeo. “Mission Carmel” (as it came to be known) was Serra’s favorite and, being close to Monterey (the capital of Alta California), served as his headquarters. When he died on August 28, 1784, he was interred beneath the chapel floor.The Carmel Mission is a Adventure Place For Vacations.
Today
The Mission Carmel has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. It is also an active parish church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey. Masses are held at 7am, noon and 5:30pm Monday-Friday, Saturday at 8:30am and 5:30pm, and Sunday at 7:30am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, and 5:30pm.
In addition to its activity as a place of worship, Mission Carmel also hosts concerts, art exhibits, lectures and numerous other community events. In 1986, Monsignor Eamon MacMahon, then pastor of The Carmel Mission, acquired a magnificent Casavant organ complete with horizontal trumpets for the basilica. Its hand-painted casework is decorated with elaborate carvings and statuary reflecting the Spanish decorative style seen on the main altar.The mission grounds are also the location of the Junipero Serra School, a private Catholic school for kindergartners through 8th grade. At one end of the museum is a special chapel room containing some of the vestments used by Serra.