The Carmel Mission is formally known as Mission San Carlos Borromeo Del Rio Carmel. After establishing the first Alta California Mission in San Diego in 1769, Padre Junipero Serra arrived by vessel in Monterey, Ca, and founded Mission San Carlos Borromeo on June 3, 1770. Because the soil was not good for farming and the location was too close to the Presidio, the location of the mission was soon changed from Monterey to its present site near the Carmel River. Padre Serra moved into the new Mission Carmel on August 24, 1771. The Indians who joined the mission provided the labor for most of the construction and for the agricultural production. Over 4,000 were baptized at Carmel from 1770 to 1836. Padre Serra died August 28, 1784, and he is buried before the main altar. Padre Lasuen, who founded Mission San Jose, was elected Presidente of Mission Carmel, and in 1793, he undertook the construction of the present stone church. The mission prospered and crops were abundant. When Padre Lasuen died in 1803, he was laid to rest beside Padre Serra. The main altar where they are buried is pictured above (top left).
In 1961 the mission was honored and designated a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII. In 1985, Pope John Paul II declared Padre Junipero Serra venerable and in 1988 he was beatified. In September 1987, Pope John Paul II visited the mission on his tour of the U.S. The photo in the upper right shows the original Marian statue of Our Lady of Bethlehem, located in a side altar, before which Pope John Paul II spent time in personal prayer. The inset plaque is actually on the floor before the altar and contains a beautiful quote from JPII: "...and much to be envied are those who can give their lives for something greater than themselves in loving service to others. This, more than words or deeds alone, is what draws people to Christ...".
This mission was special not only because it is Carlos' namesake, but also because of the holy people who have gone here before us. There are many beautiful images and much history preserved here. The active parish and school are blessed to still have this mission.