The Cathedral that started
as a Spanish mission
EN ESPAñOL: La Catedral que comenzó como una misión española
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By Miguel Pérez
Originally, it was the chapel of Mission San Carlos Borromeo, the second Franciscan mission in California, established in Monterey by Padre Junípero Serra in 1770. But when the mission was moved to Carmel one year later, the San Carlos Cathedral remained as an active Catholic church in Monterey. It is also known as the Royal Presidio Chapel because, once the mission moved away in the fall of 1771, it continued to serve the Monterey Presidio and community. It still does! The original 1770-71 wood and adobe church was destroyed by a fire in 1789 and was replaced by the current Spanish colonial sandstone Cathedral between 1791 and 1795, which stands now as oldest continuously operating parish and the oldest stone building in California. It is one of the oldest operating cathedrals in the United States! |
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The mission's relocation some six miles south to a site near the Carmel River, in present-day Carmel-by-the Sea, was caused by the need for a more sustainable location for agriculture. But friction between Serra and Military Governor Pedro Fages reportedly could have also influenced Serra's decision to relocate. Having replaced replaced Gaspar de Portolá as governor of Alta California, Fages was based at the Monterey Presidio and Serra decided to move the mission father away from the presidio.
But not too far. Now it's less than a 15 minute drive. (See map). |
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Mission Carmel turned out to be Father Serra's favorite mission, his home base, the one where he died on August 28, 1784 at the age of 70 after starting California's first nine missions between 1769 and 1782.
His remains rest under the main altar of the Mission Carmel Basilica. Fray Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, who succeeded Serra as president of the Franciscan missions and opened nine additional neophyte communities, is buried beside him. My Great Hispanic American History Tour is going there next. Are you coming? |
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CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP/25
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