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All the United States California Monterey San Carlos Cathedral

San Carlos Cathedral

The oldest continuously operating church in California.

Monterey, California

Added By
Martin Schmidt
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A statue of Mary stands in a grotto to the left of the church   Martin Schmidt
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
San Carlos Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating church in California   Martin Schmidt
Jesus in his niche in the transept   Martin Schmidt
Displays in the heritage center tell the story of Monterey’s birth   Martin Schmidt
The heritage center next door to the church   Martin Schmidt
The bishop’s chair can be seen on the right of the chancel   Martin Schmidt
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  jlord7 / Atlas Obscura User
The stairway to the choir loft   Martin Schmidt
  kimrad / Atlas Obscura User
  kimrad / Atlas Obscura User
  kimrad / Atlas Obscura User
  kimrad / Atlas Obscura User
The choir loft at the rear of the church   Martin Schmidt
  Martin Schmidt
The shrine and its patio are a recent addition to the grounds   Martin Schmidt
  Martin Schmidt
The baptismal font just inside the entrance   Martin Schmidt
The Virgin Mary occupies a niche in the transept   Martin Schmidt
The bishop’s chair   Martin Schmidt
Original wall details discovered during the restoration have been left exposed   Martin Schmidt
Two of the twelve Stations of the Cross that line the nave   Martin Schmidt
San Carlos Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating church in California   Martin Schmidt
The recently restored nave   Martin Schmidt
October 2023   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  Martin Schmidt
Displays in the heritage center   Martin Schmidt
  dntinsley / Atlas Obscura User
  Martin Schmidt
Been Here
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Added to list

About

The scenic town of Monterey was founded by Father Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portola on June 3, 1770, on the shores of Monterey Bay.

A year later, Fr. Serra moved his Mission to Carmel. The church remained as a Royal Chapel for the soldiers guarding the new Spanish Presidio of Monterey. The present sandstone church was built between 1791 and 1794, making it the oldest stone building in California. It is also California's first cathedral, a status it first acquired in 1849 when Bishop Joseph Alemany chose it as the seat for the diocese of Monterey.

The original floor plan of the church was rectangular. Transepts were added in 1858 giving it the cross-shaped floor plan it has today. The replica of the Lourdes grotto to the left of the church was constructed in 1921.

By 2006, the church was 215 years old and showing its age; moisture was seeping into the walls, tree roots were destroying the foundation and previous alterations to the building had weakened it. The parish began a comprehensive restoration of the church which took three years and was completed in 2009. In the process, an archaeological dig turned up many artifacts that contributed important information to the early history of the Presidio of Monterey. This history is now showcased in the heritage center located next door to the church.

Today, the San Carlos Cathedral is embarking on its next 200 years as a stately witness to the history of Monterey.

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Sacred Spaces Outsider Architecture

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Added By

Martin

Edited By

James Ricci, dntinsley, Findingbalance18, ccesare...

  • James Ricci
  • dntinsley
  • Findingbalance18
  • ccesare
  • kimrad
  • jlord7
  • viviblivin

Published

October 6, 2013

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_San_Carlos_Borromeo
  • http://www.historicmonterey.org/hb/presidio_chapel.html
  • http://www.mchsmuseum.com/presidio.html
  • http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_11525729
San Carlos Cathedral
598 Church Street
Monterey, California, 93940
United States
36.595742, -121.890341
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