Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
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The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a cathedral church of the United States in the City of Los Angeles in California. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles[1] and seat of its archbishop, Roger Cardinal Mahony.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels replaced the smaller former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.[1] Estimates for its restoration ranged around $180 million. Because the old cathedral was known to be of rather inferior construction (something noted soon after its completion in 1876) and had been far too small for diocesan celebrations for decades, the archdiocese chose to build a new cathedral (ultimately on a new site). The decision to change venues was influenced in part by certain conservationists, who argued that the outmoded cathedral ought to be restored and preserved as an historic landmark, and the needs of the new cathedral itself — it was to have a capacity of approximately 3,000 worshipers, the same number as an unconstructed cathedral design from the 1940s under Bishop Cantwell. Initially, the proposed budget was $150 million, but as the charities and donations kept coming, the architects and builders were able to implement everything desired. Thus, the final cost of the new cathedral was $189.7 million.
Many liberal Roman Catholics became outraged at Cardinal Roger Mahony for his decision to rebuild the Los Angeles cathedral in such elaborate architecture. According to their viewpoint, a church of that size was highly unnecessary. Those on the right of the Catholic spectrum criticize the cathedral for its departure from traditional Catholic aesthetics.
The site of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is 5.6 acres (23,000 m²) bound by Temple Street, Grand Avenue, Hill Street and the Hollywood Freeway.[1] Dedication took place on September 2, 2002.[1] It was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Spanish architect[2] José Rafael Moneo.[2][1] The 12-story high building can accommodate 3,000+ worshippers. The site includes the cathedral proper, a 2.5 acre (10,000 m²) plaza, several gardens and waterfalls, the Cathedral Center (with the gift shop, the Galero Grill, conference center, and cathedral parish offices), and the cathedral rectory, the residence of Cardinal Roger Mahony. The entire complex is 58,000 square feet (5,000 m²). The main sanctuary is 333 feet (100 m) long (purposely one foot longer than St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York). The internal height varies from 80' over the baptistery at the rear (west) end to about 100' near the lantern window (east end). Every detail of the construction was specified to last at least 500 years.
Among the artworks commissioned for the cathedral are the sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the ceremonial bronze doorways by Robert Graham, the tapestries of the communion of saints by painter John Nava, and the plaza fountain by Lita Albuquerque. The cathedral is noted for having the largest use of alabaster in the country. They replaced the more traditional stained glass windows, providing the interior with soft, warm, subtley multi-hued illumination. The world-class organ, built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa, has 104 ranks of pipes, some of which were retained from the 1980 Austin organ from St. Vibiana's Cathedral. The case of the organ is approximately 60 feet high, and is placed about 20 feet above the floor. The top of the organ's case is about 85 feet above the cathedral's floor.
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[edit] The Crypt Mausoleum
The Cathedral also has a crypt mausoleum in its lower levels. There are 6,000 mausoleum crypts and columbarium niches for burials. A number of prior Bishops and Archbishops of the Los Angeles Archdiocese are buried in the crypt mausoleum. The laity are also permitted to purchase burial crypts or niches for their own use or use of their family members. The proceeds from the sale of spaces are placed in an endowment fund for financial stability of the Cathedral.
The crypt mausoleum features a number of stained glass windows that were originally installed in Saint Vibiana's Cathedral. Two new windows featuring guardian angels were placed at the entrance to the crypt mausoleum. Both the new windows and the restoration of the old Cathedral's windows was done by The Judson Studios.
[edit] People Buried at the Cathedral
- Gregory Peck, actor. [3]
