A gilded sarcophagus. That’s what first drew my attention to Vibiana. Vibiana in Los Angeles. This wasn’t just any building. This was the former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. It held the remains of a third-century Roman martyr. A saint whose story is intertwined with the very fabric of Los Angeles.
Vibiana’s story begins long before its 1876 opening. Plans for a cathedral dated back to 1859. Amiel Cavalier donated the land. Construction cost $80000. Architects Kysor & Mathews also designed the Pico House. The Italianate structure was a landmark. On opening day it held one-tenth of the young city’s population.
The interior was later remodeled with onyx and marble. The exterior facade changed in 1922-24. The Pope himself chose the name. Saint Vibiana’s remains traveled from the Catacombs of Rome. They found a resting place in a beautiful sarcophagus above the high altar. A rectory and school were added in the 1940s. The school closed in 1969. It became a convent.
Vibiana outgrew the city’s needs. The archdiocese wanted a larger cathedral. Preservationists fought to save this historic landmark. Then the 1994 Northridge earthquake struck. It caused extensive damage to Vibiana’s 1200-seat sanctuary. A lengthy legal battle ensued. The archdiocese wanted demolition. Preservationists wanted to save it.
A compromise was reached. The city swapped land with the archdiocese. A new cathedral was built. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Some items from St Vibiana’s moved there. The stained glass and sarcophagus are in the crypt. Pipes from the organ were reused.
The city took over the Vibiana site. The former cathedral was sold. It became an events venue. Vibiana. Now it hosts events from Emmy after-parties to the Alfred E Mann Foundation Gala. It even hosted American Idol. The non-historic 1940s education building was demolished. The Little Tokyo branch of the Los Angeles Public Library now stands there. Vibiana has been recognized for its successful preservation efforts.
Today Vibiana thrives as a vibrant events space. It stands as a testament to its past and a symbol of Los Angeles’s enduring spirit. A unique venue. A beautiful building. A rich history. This is Vibiana.