San Carlos Cathedral — Attraction in Monterey

My review is not for the active San Carlos Cathedral church services. Instead it's for the Royal Presidio Chapel historic federal landmark. They are both the same building. Currently the San Carlos Cathedral Catholic Church uses the Presidio Chapel. When services are not occurring, visitors can explore the interior and outside facade. There is no charge to walk about, it's free.

The present sandstone chapel construction was completed in 1795. The native Americans labors built the chapel. The Monterey Presidio was founded in 1770 as the second of four Spanish Presidios. At that time, the presidio's chapel served for the Spanish soldiers and dignitaries. It's the oldest stone building in California.

When walking about the exterior of the chapel take note of the marked lines to the right of the building. Those lines indicate chapel construction (where, what, and when). Directly in the back there is a plaque memorializing where the Oak tree stood in 1770 where Father Junipero Serra broke ground for the chapel construction. The tree was removed in 1905 when it was damaged. But the tree holds important place in Monterey history. In 1602, it is said that Spanish explorer Vizcaíno followed the creek from the Bay and noticed this majestic oak tree. Under that tree he and with the friars, traveling in his expedition, held Mass under the tree and claimed the area for Spain. Father Serra followed Vizcaino's directions to the site in 1770 to establish a mission and presidio. But a year or two later he decided to build the mission in Carmel instead. But the presidio continued with building the chapel. Pieces of the grand tree have been preserved and are located in various local museums.

Now let's talk about out the interior. The church doors are left open during the day welcoming all inside. Inside there are paintings and statues including are originals such as the Stations of the Cross, St John, Sorrowful Mother, and Spanish Madonna. As you enter the church, look up and the exterior and take notice of the Our Lady of Guadalupe statue; it's still the original making it the oldest non-indigenous statue in California.

Also throwing it out there that there are cameras all over and everything is monitored. So don't be a doofus. Just enjoy and soak in...

It was our first time going to this church. It was close to Marriott so we walked going there. There was a cross with Jesus nailed on it hanging above the altar. The priest Fr Ron so friendly, he walked from the front all the way to the back greeting parishioners. He was joyful making everybody laugh with some of his comments. When he was going around sprinkling blessed water he brushed some head with stuff he was using to sprinkle. He was funny in a nice way. Enjoyed listening to his sermon which was about Mercy. It's special meaning of being willing to enter the crisis of another person. Father, thank you for a great sermon. Will try my best to put it to practice. Love...

We were visiting Monterey as a family and as Catholics decided to pay this beautiful cathedral a visit. The heritage center was closed but we went inside the cathedral and found beautiful statues as well as preserved areas along the walls that had been there since it's building. Also, we walked around the outside of the church and found a beautiful walkway with historical statues and plaques. A man, who I believe was named Richard, told us more on the history of the church. He was very informative but I don't know if he worked for the church or was a parishioner (or both)....