Was it necessary to replace a cathedral damaged by an earthquake with a modern design? This question fueled debate when the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was built. Welcome. Here we stand before a testament to faith. This is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels replaced the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. The old cathedral suffered severe damage during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Concerns about safety forced its closure.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles decided to build a new cathedral. This decision sparked a legal battle. Preservationists wanted to save the old cathedral. The archdiocese argued restoration was too costly.
In 1996, the archdiocese purchased a site between Temple Street and the Hollywood Freeway. The Vatican had already approved the name Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in the 1940s. Construction began in 1998. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels opened in 2002.
Spanish architect Rafael Moneo designed the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. His postmodern design incorporates acute and obtuse angles. The design avoids right angles.
Some criticized the contemporary style. Others felt the money could have been better used for social programs. Cardinal Roger Mahony defended the project. He stated cathedrals define eras. They leave legacies of innovative architecture.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels has many notable features. Robert Graham designed the bronze doors and the Virgin Mary statue at the entrance. Johnny Bear Contreras created a bronze sculpture as a Native American memorial. Solar panels generate 15% of the building’s electricity.
Inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, you will find a mausoleum. It contains crypts and columbarium niches for burials. Proceeds support the cathedral. Saint Vibiana’s relics are interred here. Past bishops and archbishops of Los Angeles also rest here.
The organ is another highlight. Dobson Pipe Organ Builders created this instrument. It incorporates pipes from St. Vibiana’s Cathedral. With over 6000 pipes, it is one of the largest organs in North America.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels also hosts events. These include Votive Masses and musical performances. Organ recitals occur monthly.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels serves as the mother church for about five million Catholics. It stands as a symbol of faith and a unique architectural landmark. This cathedral embodies artistic and religious expression in downtown Los Angeles. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels continues to inspire.