The early years at Mission Carmel were very difficult for Father Serra as he moved the mission from Monterey to its present site in Carmel. The first churches were made of wood and mud, giving them little protection from the weather. The padres mostly depended on the ships from Mexico for their supplies and these ships did not make it to the Monterey coast very often. But with Father Serra's and the natives' hard work, the mission really prospered.
The mission again got into trouble in 1834 when the Mexican government closed the mission and took over the mission lands. THe Indians were forced to leave the mission, and so were the padres. After that, the empty buildings were vandalized and started to decay. The quadrangle, which was built of adobe, became nothing more than piles of mud.
Finally, the mission started to see better days. In 1884, the United States returned the mission to the Catholic church. Finally the mission's troubles were over!
The mission again got into trouble in 1834 when the Mexican government closed the mission and took over the mission lands. THe Indians were forced to leave the mission, and so were the padres. After that, the empty buildings were vandalized and started to decay. The quadrangle, which was built of adobe, became nothing more than piles of mud.
Finally, the mission started to see better days. In 1884, the United States returned the mission to the Catholic church. Finally the mission's troubles were over!