Mission San Carlos Barromeo del Carmelo

Mission San Carlos Barromeo is the 2nd mission and was founded June 3, 1770, by Father Junipero Serra. It was named after San Carlos Barromeo, a 16th century cardinal and archbishop of Milan. He was canonized in 1584. His feast day is November 4.

Originally to be the most northern mission site in an effort to stem Russian descent from Fort

Ross.  The site was chosen based on reports, by the earlier explorer Vizcaino, of a good harbor in Monterey Bay.  The search for Monterey Bay began shortly after thefounding of Mission San Diego by Governor Gaspar de Portola.  In his first sail, he planted a cross at Monterey Bay, but did not believe this was the wonderful harbor described and continued his search, returning to San Diego thinking he did not find it.  He returned with Father Serra and realized that this indeed was Monterey Bay and that Vizcaino's description was exaggerated.  A church and presidio were built, but a year later, Father Serra moved the mission site to Carmel Valley by the sea, to distance themselves from the soldiers and to find suitable land for agriculture.  Several churches would be built, but the final Father Lasuen's charge in 1797 and it was built out of yellow sandstone designed by master mason Manuel Ruiz who taught the Eselen Indians his craft.  The original church was built beside the presidio and known as La Capilla Real or the Royal Chapel.  It would continue to be used and eventually rebuilt in sandstone in 1775.  The church served the capitol of Alta California and all the foreign dignitaries.  It was rebuilt in 1794 and became a parish church in 1840.

Father Serra liked Carmel's location so much that he made it his home and the headquarters of the Father-Presidents until it was moved to Santa Barbara in 1803.  He died there on August 28, 1784 and was entombed in the original adobe church.  one was erected under Father Francisco Palou became the temporary Father-President and later, the position was given to Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen.  Father Lasuen would also be buried at this mission beside Father Serra and Father Juan Crespi.

During the development of Mission Carmel, many changes would affect the development of the missions.  The capitol was moved from Lower California to Carmel and the head of California affairs would fall under the office of Commandant-General instead of Viceroy.  The cooperative relationship the Franciscan priests had with the military and civil authority would end with the replacement of the agreeable Governor Portola by Lt. Fages and the installment of Governor Felipe de Neve.  From hereon would be the constant battle over Church control versus military control and settlement by Indian conversion versus Spanish immigration.