Carmel Mission

Carmel Mission is unique in that father Junipero Serra selected this mission as his home. It’s only about a mile from Carmel Village and is well worth the side trip. It is one of the nine California missions father Serra started, out of 21 in total.

There are two different sized bell towers, the larger has nine bells and the smaller has two bells. The Star Window, or Star of Bethlehem Window at the entrance of the church is from the Spanish Colonial/Moorish Mission Revival period.

On the day of the summer solstice, the sun shines through the window onto the alter at the far end of the church. It is nearly identical to the six-foot-high version that Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle, incorporated into the Historic Hacienda’s east tower, room “D”, located on the Hunter-Liggett Army base.

Father Serra’s grave is in front of the alter at Carmel Mission. There are seven statues incorporated into the alter. The ceiling of the Carmel Mission is unusual in that it is parabolic in shape, reflecting voices and music directly back to the floor.

Visiting this mission in 1984 was Pope John Paul II. There are four museum galleries to experience, original mission furniture, as well as the 400-year-old bible of Father Serra. This is still an active church with Catholic masses. The Carmel Mission is the most authentic restoration of all the California Missions. When you visit Silicon Valley, be sure to explore Santa Clara Mission and their museum.