San Carlos Cathedral

A statue of Mary stands in a grotto to the left of the church Martin Schmidt

October 2023 ccesare (Atlas Obscura User)

jlord7 (Atlas Obscura User)

The recently restored nave Martin Schmidt

Displays in the heritage center Martin Schmidt

Martin Schmidt

San Carlos Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating church in California Martin Schmidt

The stairway to the choir loft Martin Schmidt

Two of the twelve Stations of the Cross that line the nave Martin Schmidt

The bishop's chair can be seen on the right of the chancel Martin Schmidt

Original wall details discovered during the restoration have been left exposed Martin Schmidt

The bishop's chair Martin Schmidt

The Virgin Mary occupies a niche in the transept Martin Schmidt

Martin Schmidt

The baptismal font just inside the entrance Martin Schmidt

The heritage center next door to the church Martin Schmidt

Displays in the heritage center tell the story of Monterey's birth Martin Schmidt

Martin Schmidt

Jesus in his niche in the transept Martin Schmidt

The shrine and its patio are a recent addition to the grounds Martin Schmidt

Martin Schmidt

The choir loft at the rear of the church Martin Schmidt

San Carlos Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating church in California Martin Schmidt

kimrad (Atlas Obscura User)

dntinsley (Atlas Obscura User)

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.