<P> As a result of Downie's dedicated efforts to restore the buildings, the Carmel mission church is one of the most authentically restored of all the mission churches in California . Mission Carmel has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service . It is an active parish church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey . </P> <P> In addition to its activity as a place of worship, Mission Carmel also hosts concerts, art exhibits, lectures and numerous other community events . In 1986, then - pastor Monsignor Eamon MacMahon acquired a magnificent Casavant Frères organ complete with horizontal trumpets . Its hand - painted casework is decorated with elaborate carvings and statuary reflecting the Spanish decorative style seen on the main altar . </P> <P> The mission also serves as a museum, preserving its own history and the history of the area . There are four specific museum galleries: the Harry Downie Museum, describing restoration efforts; the Munras Family Heritage Museum, describing the history of one of the most important area families; the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery, hosting rotating art exhibits as well as the monumental bronze and travertine cenotaph (1924) sculpted by Jo Mora; and the Convento Museum, which holds the cell Serra lived and died in, as well as interpretive exhibits . At one end of the museum is a special chapel room containing some of the vestments used by Serra . </P> <P> The mission grounds are also the location of the Junipero Serra School, a private Catholic school for kindergartners through 8th grade . </P>

When was mission san carlos borromeo de carmelo built