Mission San Carlos Borromeo is the second mission in Alta California founded by Junípero Serra. Originally established on the shores of Monterey Bay, it was later moved to the Carmel River Valley, in the territory of the Esselen and Rumsen Ohlone people. Its full name is, therefore, La Misión de San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo.
Location:
3080 Rio Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
County:
Monterey
Year founded:
1770
Patron saint:
St. Charles Borromeo.
Founder:
Fr. Junípero Serra.
Native peoples:
Esselen, Rumsen — also known as Costanoan.
Goods produced:
Wheat, barley, corn, beans, vegetables.
Features:
Original stone church walls and bell tower quarried from the Santa Lucia Mountains, star window, mudéjar style church with curved interior nave walls.
Current status:
Mission San Carlos Borromeo is an active Roman Catholic Parish.
Historical landmark number:
California Historical Landmark no. 135, National Historical Landmark.
Interesting facts:
For 30 years, Mission San Carlos Borromeo served as the headquarters of the California missions.
The mission church houses the tomb of Junípero Serra.
The museum of Mission San Carlos Borromeo has one of the most extensive collections of mission-period items in California.
The museum also houses California’s oldest library, containing books from the early mission period.
The church at Mission San Carlos Borromeo is not made of adobe, but fashioned out of stone by master stonemason Esteban Ruíz, who also built the Royal Presidio Chapel of Monterey.