🛕 Carmelite Monastery, Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Carmelite Convent of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces and Saint Thérèse in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a convent of the Carmelites, a Catholic religious order. The Carmelite Monastery was housed from 1925 to 1931 in a building nicknamed the "Cracker Box," at Camel Point, on West Isabella Avenue, near Scenic Drive. The original monastery was created after the canonization of Thérèse of Lisieux, after which the order in Carmel is named. Five nuns were the first occupants, volunteers chosen by Reverend Mother Augustine from the Carmelite Monastery in Santa Clara. The current location in Carmel began and completed construction in 1931, opening its doors for All Saints' Day, November 1, 1931. It was designed by Maginnis & Walsh, situating it so that on the Summer solstice, the sun shines directly onto the tabernacle.