Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels

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Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels

Overview: As far as churches in Los Angeles go, they typically have either the middle ages look or the Spanish Mission style look with towers and/or spires. Not so with the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, which is located at the southeast corner of Grand Ave and Temple St in Downtown Los Angeles.

Far from the typical look of Los Angeles’ Catholic churches, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, or Los Angeles Cathedral, is characterized by modern angels, windows and space for gathering. What you’ll see are towering angles with “virtually no right angles”, as the church’s website states. The scale of the building is impressive. It’s designed to last over 500 years. The “sun-baked adobe walls” have a natural color, resembling the earth and nature.

The base of the arch-bishop, the Los Angeles Cathedral was designed by famous Spanish architect, Professor José Rafael Moneo, and was completed in 2002. It replaced the former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. You can take a tour (10 people or less led by volunteers, larger groups must pay $5/per person and will get even a more detailed tour) for free of one this majestic and reverent place in downtown Los Angeles.

When you enter through the south gate, you’ll notice a fountain at the entrance. Go up the ramp and you will notice the vastness of the grounds (in light of the compact space of Downtown L.A.), the natural colors and the palm trees (which, folks say is “so Southern California”). The courtyard offers a subdued place to rest, read a book or just take a short retreat from the outside. Surrounding the vast court are the church and other buildings (staff, work). At the north end, there is a glass wall with etched heavenly figures, an altar and gardens. Next to the gardens is a sandy spot with the bronze Native American Memorial.

The floors of the church are made of a staggering “sixty thousand Spanish, Jana limestone stones.” They and the walls are are pristine and lightly toned. The light colors of the church were incorporated with purpose so they could mesh with the natural light pouring in through the windows of the church. The ceiling is enormously high and decorated with hanging, slim lights that emit a soft glow. All of the “light” (so to speak) lights – both natural and mechanical – make the church very lively and inviting. In the basement, there is a Mausoleum with a central corridor with halls branching off to the sides. The Mausoleum contains crypts and niches and 16 stained glass windows.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in downtown is replete with a gift shop, cafe and even an ATM.

Location: 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Site: www.olacathedral.org
Ph: (213) 680-5200

Cost: No cost except if you have 11 or more people in a group and would like to take a detailed tour led by a docent. Cost for large groups are $5/person.

Accessibility: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown Los Angeles is wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators.

Getting There: www.metro.net, www.ladottransit.com