Mission San Carlos Borromeo De Carmel was founded by Father Junipero Serra, and was named for St. Charles Borromeo. It was the second Mission to be built, and is located around 120 miles south of San Francisco near Carmel. In1771 the first Carmel Mission was built, and since this time, the church has been rebuilt and restored many times. The final restoration was in the 1930's.

The first Carmel Mission was made out of a native yellow sandstone block, which was held together with mortar made from or out of limestone in abalone shells found on the ocean beach, and it also has a tiled roof. The walls taper inward to form an arched ceiling. A Moorish window often called the "Star Window" that hangs over the entrance, appears to be made of a circle and a square at an angle. The two towers are different from each other in design.

Here are some interesting facts about the Carmel Mission:

• A simple canal brought water from the Carmel River to the Mission compound for irrigation. In 1772 it was a difficult year, as there was a water shortage. The Caramel River dried up and crops, as well as the wild game had died. Soldiers from the Presidio went to Osso (bear) Valley in the Sierra Mountains, shot bear, and brought back the meat to keep them alive. (And so I guess that is why they call it Bear Valley!)

• On August 28, 1784, Father Juniper Serra died at the age of 71, after 36 years of Missionary work and establishing the basis for the chain of Missions in California. He was buried under the altar of the Adobe Church. In 1943, his remains were moved to under the altar of the Great Stone Church where they still remain to this day.

• On April 27,1962 the Carmel Mission Church was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope John XXIII (23rd). It is one of only twelve such Basilicas in the United States. A fiesta is held honoring St. Charles Borromeo each September. People come from all over the world to visit and study it.

The Carmel Mission was a church before and after it was renovated. It has been renovated several times, the last time was the 1930's. The Mission is still standing today, and people come from all over the world to visit and study it. Many of it's historical treasures are on display at the Mission museum.

What stands out for me as the most interesting thing about the Carmel Mission is it's unique design and patterns, as I explained earlier. Although I have never visited the Mission in person, I would like to one day.