About St. Francis of the Redwoods · Big Sur, California
St. Francis of the Redwoods is a small Catholic mission church tucked into the redwood forests of Big Sur, California, on Highway 1 about 24.9 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It serves as a mission of the historic Basilica of San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel Mission) in the Diocese of Monterey, administered by Carmel Mission's pastor and staff. The little church holds a bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 6:00 p.m., and is described by visitors as a tranquil sanctuary for prayer and reflection surrounded by the towering redwoods for which it is named.
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Paul P. Murphy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
St. Francis of the Redwoods offers a uniquely intimate worship experience in one of the most beautiful settings on California's coast, where Mass is celebrated in a simple mission church surrounded by towering redwoods. Because it is a bilingual (English/Spanish) community served by Carmel Mission's priests and deacons, parishioners and visitors are welcomed into a small, prayerful household of faith that draws the scattered Catholic families of Big Sur together twice a month. For Catholics and visitors traveling Highway 1, it is a serene sanctuary — described by those who come as a 'heavenly sanctuary' — perfect for quiet prayer, reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist in a deeply peaceful natural setting.
Mass times at St. Francis of the Redwoods
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at Carmel Mission Basilica every Saturday 9:00–10:30 a.m.; St. Francis of the Redwoods has no separately listed confession times — please coordinate through Carmel Mission (831) 624-1271.
About St. Francis of the Redwoods
St. Francis of the Redwoods is a small Catholic mission church nestled in the redwood forests of Big Sur, California, on Highway 1 about 24.9 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a mission of the Carmel Mission Basilica (San Carlos Borromeo) in the Diocese of Monterey, sharing the Basilica's pastor and pastoral staff. The little church serves the scattered Catholic families of Big Sur with a bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, and is widely described by visitors as a serene, prayerful sanctuary surrounded by towering redwoods.
- Type: Mission church (not an independent parish)
- Parent parish: Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Diocese: Diocese of Monterey in California
- Mass: 1st & 3rd Saturdays at 6:00 p.m., bilingual (English/Spanish)
History
Because Big Sur is a remote, sparsely populated stretch of California's central coast, the Catholic presence there has historically been served by mission priests dispatched from Carmel Mission rather than by an independent parish. Carmel Mission Basilica itself dates to 1771 and was founded by the Franciscan friars under Junípero Serra; St. Francis of the Redwoods is one of the present-day mission churches under its care. Diocesan records show the Carmel Mission Basilica has been staffed by a continuous succession of pastors since the 1930s, with the current pastor, Rev. Paul P. Murphy, in place since 2013. Visitors today find a quiet, stewarded church — a caretaker lives nearby, welcomes guests, and offers guided tours of the grounds.
- Mission of Carmel Mission Basilica, founded 1771 by Junípero Serra
- Listed in Diocese of Monterey directories as a mission of the Basilica
- Carmel Mission Basilica succession: O'Connell (1933–58) → Clinch (1958–67) → Marron (1967–69) → McMenamin (1969–73) → MacMahon (1973–89) → D. Declan Murphy (1989–2001) → Griffin (2001–13) → Paul P. Murphy (2013–present)
Sacraments
The principal sacrament celebrated on-site at St. Francis of the Redwoods is the Eucharist, with the bilingual Saturday evening Mass. Because the mission is administered by Carmel Mission Basilica, all other sacramental needs — including the Sacrament of Reconciliation, baptisms, weddings, and funerals — are coordinated through the Carmel Mission parish office.
- Eucharist: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 6:00 p.m. (bilingual)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: available at Carmel Mission Basilica, Saturdays 9:00–10:30 a.m.
- Other sacraments (baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick): coordinated through Carmel Mission, (831) 624-1271
Clergy & Staff
St. Francis of the Redwoods does not have a resident priest of its own; it is shepherded by the Carmel Mission Basilica pastoral team. The current pastor is Rev. Paul P. Murphy, who has led Carmel Mission since 2013. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Rodrigo Paredes Cardona and Deacon Dcn. Warren Hoy, along with Carmel Mission's general manager, liturgical coordinator, faith formation coordinator, and wedding coordinator.
- Rev. Paul P. Murphy — Pastor
- Rev. Rodrigo Paredes Cardona — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Warren Hoy — Deacon
Visiting Big Sur's Mission Church
Many people stop at St. Francis of the Redwoods not only for Mass but for the quiet prayer and reflection the setting invites. Reviews describe it as a 'heavenly sanctuary' and a 'serene and tranquil place perfect for quiet prayer and reflection,' where the caretaker warmly welcomes guests and offers guided tours of the grounds.
Contact
All inquiries about St. Francis of the Redwoods should be directed to the Carmel Mission parish office, which administers the mission.
- Phone: (831) 624-1271
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://carmelmission.org/st-francis-of-the-redwoods/
- Parent parish: Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, CA 93923
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Michael D. O'Connell1933–1958
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica, the parish that oversees St. Francis of the Redwoods.
- Most Rev. Harry A. Clinch, D.D.1958–1967
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
- Rev. Msgr. James Marron1967–1969
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
- Rev. George McMenamin1969–1973
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
- Rev. Msgr. Eanon MacMahon1973–1989
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
- Rev. Msgr. D. Declan Murphy1989–2001
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica during the period St. Francis of the Redwoods was administered as a mission.
- Rev. John C. Griffin2001–2013
Pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica.
- Rev. Paul P. Murphy2013–present
Current pastor of Carmel Mission Basilica and administrator of the St. Francis of the Redwoods mission.