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“Carmel
Mission” by Paul McGehee. Formally known as the Mission San Carlos
Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, the Mission was first built in 1797 by
Franciscan Missionaries, and for many years lay in ruins. The Mission
at Carmel, California has now been authentically restored as a reminder
of the system of Roman Catholic Missions throughout California in the
early days. Back in the late 1700's, Fr. Junipero Serra (1713-1784)
established his first Mission in Monterrey, but moved it to the mouth
of the Carmel Valley a few years later because of the harsh environment
imposed by the local military government. The Mission at Carmel soon
became Serra's headquarters, an oasis of peace and solitude in those
early years of California. Local Indians were baptized in the waters of
the Carmel River, and they helped raise crops on the grounds of the
Mission to help feed the people of the environs. They also raised and
tended livestock such as horses, sheep and cattle. Fr. Serra was
instrumental in not only bringing Christianity to the west coast but
bringing peace and stability to the region. After his death in 1784 the
Mission continued its work under the guidance of the Catholic Church in
Spain, but ran afoul of the Mexican government which seized the lands
of all of the Missions in 1833, supposedly to give them back to the
people, but in reality became a land grab for Mexico's elite. The once
lovely Carmel Mission was in ruins by 1850, and was finally regained by
the Catholic Church in 1859. The Mission has only been saved from
oblivion by the work of many hard working volunteers over the last
several decades. The Carmel Mission stands today as a working Catholic
Basilica with a large following in their Parish. Fr. Junipero Serra was
made a Saint by Pope John Paul II in 1988 for his work establishing
several Missions throughout old California. One can visit the Carmel
Mission today and see not only Fr. Serra's spartan sleeping quarters
and work areas, but visit his simple tomb as well. The Mission Building
and grounds are now designated a National Historic Landmark on the
Register of Historic Places.
“Carmel Mission” is faithfully reproduced as an archival-quality print from
McGehee's original color pencil and acrylic artwork, each hand-signed
by the artist.
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