Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels | Los Angeles, CA

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is an impressive building in downtown Los Angeles. It has a really interesting modernist design and a great collection of relics.

Our Lady of the Angels replaces the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. It served the archdiocese for over a hundred years until it was damaged in an earthquake in 1994. Rather than try to repair it, the archdiocese sold the church to the city and constructed a new cathedral in a different location. The new cathedral opened in 2002.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was designed by Spanish architect, Rafael Moneo. He made minimal use of right angles and incorporated the latest techniques for earthquake safeguards. 

The exterior is made of architectural concrete in an ocher hue reminiscent of California missions. The interior is an expansive space, brightly illuminated, with a high vaulted ceiling. At one end of the sanctuary are the main altar, the choir risers and a huge organ. The side walls of the nave are covered with 25 tapestries titled the Communion of Saints, depicting 135 saints and blesseds from around the world. Installed at the south ambulatory of the Cathedral is a 17th Century Spanish Baroque retable.