Blessing of the Bells San Carlos Cathedral Monterey California
Originally built as a California Mission in 1794 as the Royal Presidio Chapel in Mexican-ruled Alta California. Founded by Fr. Junipero Serra, Serra decided to move the Mission to Carmel in 1796 as the new San Carlos Borromeo.
The Royal Presidio Chapel was never secularized with the rest of the California Missions and always remained an active parish church. Built of local limestone, the chapel has weathered through the years as limestone does. In 1992, the foundation was set in place to eventually restore the church and seismically retrofit the building.
The church is the oldest continually operating church in California, is the smallest Cathedral in the United States, and along with Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, one of the two oldest cathedrals in the US.
The church closed for restoration in September 2007 and officially reopened January 21, 2009. Prior to the re-opening of the church, Bishop Richard Garcia blessed the ancient bells in the tower.
The church also houses a rare example of a Wurlitzer church pipe organ.
Wurlitzer installed this organ in 1936, well after the company's theatre organ trade dissolved.
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America's Oldest (and Smallest) Cathedral Church
The Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, also known as the Royal Presidio Chapel, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the United States. It is located in Monterey, California in its historic downtown district. The cathedral is the oldest continuously operating parish and the oldest stone building in California. It was built in 1794 making it the oldest (and smallest) serving cathedral along with St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the only existing presidio chapel in California and the only existing building in the original Monterey Presidio.
San Carlos Cathedral- Monterey
The bells are rung every Saturday at noon. They bearly can be heard because of noisy seagulls above. I made my first communion here in the 1950's.
Royal Presidio Chapel/San Carlos Cathedral
The oldest building on the Monterey peninsula is the Royal Presidio Chapel, also known as the San Carlos Cathedral. It was founded in 1770 by Fr. Junipero Serra as part of the Spanish Presidio. It still stands today and continues to function as a church, making it the oldest continuously functioning church in California.
Come visit this National Historic Landmark with its ornamental architecture and large archives of religious and historic artifacts and art.
Christmas in the Adobes Monterey, San Carlos Cathedral Children's Chior
Cathedral of San Carlos Borroméo (Royal Presidio Chapel)
Tour of the Monterey Peninsula. Part 1
Bicycle ride of the Monterey Peninsula from Carmel to Pacific Grove Gate. Part 1
See more videos at andoro.com
Lower Presidio Historic Park
The lower 26 acres of the Presidio of Monterey is preserved historic land and a nature preserve. Learn about the city's vast military history from the late 18th century to the present. You can also sit back, relax and enjoy one of the best views the peninsula has to offer.
Oliver's baptism
San Carlos Cathedral Monterey CA
Christmas in the Adobes
California State Parks HIstoric Monterey
vlog36 - Short One (Final, Feathers, Cathedral, A-N)
There will probably not be a vlog for the next two weeks because I will be on leave and away from my PC. We'll see.
Song: Reverie - Claude Debussy (
More about San Carlos Cathedral:
The song is one of my favorites used in Westworld. I also like This World, Sweetwater, and Nitro Heist (so far).
Historic Monterey Buildings
There aren't too many places with the number of historic sites that are found in Monterey. The early California adobes downtown and the historic cannery buildings on the oceanfront of Cannery Row combine with the vibrant and colorful stories of immigrants, artists, writers and political figures to create a rich Californian tapestry.
There are several walking tours that pass by historic districts in Monterey. This video shows a preview of some of the important structures you can see and tour.
Monterey's Cooper Molera Adobe
The Cooper Molera Adobe is one of the jewels of Downtown Monterey's adobe collection. The National Trust has been considering a proposal by Foothill Partners for a preservation- oriented adaptive commercial development. It includes interpretative elements to promote the site's history, but also establishes a restaurant in the Cooper and Diaz Adobes.
Blessing the Bell
Blessing the new bell at Mary Help of Christians Church in Sawtell
Downtown Carmel, Carmel City Beach & Oldest Mission San Carlos 1770 - San Francisco Trip (7/8)
Key Attractions:
1. Downtown Carmel evening,
2. Carmel City Beach,
3. Salvador Dali Museum (for art enthusiasts)
4. Oldest Catholic mission of California:
The church was founded by the Franciscan Saint Junípero Serra as the chapel of Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo on June 3, 1770. Father Serra first established the original mission in Monterey at this location on June 3, 1770, near the native village of Tamo. However, Father Serra became engaged in a heated power struggle with Military Governor Pedro Fages, who was headquartered at the Presidio of Monterey and served as governor of Alta California between 1770 and 1774.[4] Serra decided to move the mission away from the Presidio, and in May, 1771, the Spanish viceroy approved Serra's petition to relocate the mission to its current location near the mouth of the Carmel River and the present-day town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.[5]
When the mission was moved, the existing wood and adobe building became the San Jose Chapel for the Presidio of Monterey. Monterey became the capital of the Province of Californias in 1777 and the chapel was renamed the Royal Presidio Chapel. The original church along with other buildings in the presido was destroyed by fire caused by a salute gun in 1789 and was replaced by the present sandstone structure built between 1791 and 1795.[6] It was completed in 1794 by Indian labor.[7] In 1840, the chapel was rededicated to the patronage of Saint Charles Borromeo.[citation needed]
In 1849, the chapel was selected to be the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Monterey by Bishop Joseph Alemany. After Alemany became Archbishop of San Francisco, his successor Thaddeus Amat y Brusi moved the cathedral to Mission Santa Barbara, to be closer to the population in Los Angeles.
Hotel Abrego - At The Center of Your Monterey Vacation
Enjoy the sunshine at Lovers Point Park and Beach, watch the waves crash at Point Pinos, kayak on the lovely Monterey Bay, ride your bike on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, and step back in time at the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo. There are so many wonderful things to do only steps away from Hotel Abrego.
Monterey's Chinese Heritage
The contributions of the Chinese community to the City of Monterey were crucial to the development and success of the City's fishing industries. This documentary short takes you to the once-prevalent Chinese villages along the central coast of California. It is narrated by Gerry Low-Sabado, the great granddaughter of the first documented Chinese woman born in California. She has dedicated herself to educating the public about local chinese history. This includes the staging of a large show celebrating Chinese dance, music and culture. You can see some clips from the colorful, vibrant and energetic show right here!
This is a clip from the History Fest 2008 documentary, which can be seen at monterey.org/tv
Directed by Eric Palmer
Communications & Outreach, City of Monterey
Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team directed by Leonard Han
Academy of Chinese Performing Arts directed by David Chen
Da-Ai Choir directed by Hwei-Min Wu Lu
Photos courtesy of the California History Room at the Monterey Public Library
California 1—Monterey to Big Sur
California 1—Monterey to Big Sur was inspired by a visit to California’s Central Coast. Monterey’s Spanish origins and rich history are reflected in the Old City as well as in the flavor of its contemporary architecture. The legacy of Monterey’s fishing industry has been repurposed on Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, presenting many shops and restaurants, and crowned by its world class aquarium. A native of the region, John Steinbeck used Monterey as a backdrop in his writing, and is reflected in such works as Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row.
In sharp contrast, Big Sur is a breathtaking, unadulterated experience. Stops at the many vista points along the 71 mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway are rewarded with remarkable views of the imposing Santa Lucia Mountains, the craggy California coast and the majestic Pacific Ocean. Rigorously protected from development, one can easily imagine what the early explorers had witnessed.
The video reflects another phenomenon, as the rise and fall of the sun offers a beautiful sky that completes a picture of a magical land. There is so much to explore, and a visit to Monterey County is encouraged.
Video Notes: In anticipation of the trip, I researched the area in advance, gave myself a rough shoot list and selected a wonderful musical composition by Dave Grusin, no stranger to film soundtracks. I shot roughly 90 minutes on my Samsung S6 and edited in Adobe Premiere Elements 2018. I hope you enjoy and recommend viewing California 1—Monterey to Big Sur to others.
SF Mission Dolores Exterior
SF Mission Dolores Exterior
California State Parks: Russ Christoff visits Monterey State Historic Park
From the series Traveling California State Parks. Used by permission of Under the Stars productions. Some information may have changed since filming. Please visit for updated information.