Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, completed and consecrated in 2002. The building was designed by architect Rafael Moneo and serves as the metropolitan seat for the archdiocese.

The interior emphasizes a large, light-filled sanctuary, explicit geometric forms in concrete and stone, and multiple chapels for smaller services. The cathedral also contains a crypt level used for burials of archbishops and for smaller liturgical functions.

The new cathedral replaced the older Cathedral of Saint Vibiana as the archdiocesan seat and was commissioned to provide a larger, earthquake-resistant facility for the growing archdiocese. Its contemporary design and materials intentionally contrast with traditional Gothic and Romanesque cathedral types.

The cathedral sits on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, adjacent to civic spaces and cultural institutions and within short walking distance of Los Angeles City Hall and Grand Park.

• Opening date: Completed and consecrated in 2002, the building replaced the 19th-century Cathedral of Saint Vibiana as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
• Architectural design: Designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, it employs contemporary materials and a geometric plan that departs from traditional cathedral forms.

What to See #

• Main sanctuary: The main sanctuary and nave are a modernist composition with a folded, geometric roof and a tall, light-filled space intended for large liturgical gatherings.
• Crypt and burial chapel: A subterranean crypt contains burial spaces for archbishops and a chapel area used for smaller services and private devotion.
• Side chapels: Several side chapels and chapels of reservation provide spaces for smaller congregations and perpetual adoration within the cathedral complex.