What historically took centuries to construct was accomplished in three years in the building of the 11-story Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. This first Roman Catholic Cathedral to be erected in the western United States in 30 years began construction on May 1999 and was completed by the spring of 2002.

Spanish architect Professor José Rafael Moneo designed a Cathedral Church that reflects the diversity of the people of Los Angeles. Rather than duplicate traditional designs of the Middle Ages in Europe, the Cathedral is a new and vibrant expression of the 21st Century.

Just as many European Cathedrals are built near rivers, Moneo considered the Hollywood Freeway as Los Angeles' river of transportation, the connection of people to each other. The site is located between the Civic Center and the Cultural Center of the city.

"I wanted both a public space," said Moneo, "and something else, what it is that people seek when they go to church." To the architect, the logic of these two competing interests suggested, first of all, a series of "buffering, intermediating spaces" -- plazas, staircases, colonnades, and an unorthodox entry.

Worshippers enter on the south side, rather than the center, of the Cathedral through a monumental set of bronze doors cast by sculptor Robert Graham. The doors are crowned by a completely contemporary statue of Our Lady of the Angels. A 50 foot concrete cross "lantern" adorns the front of the Cathedral. At night its glass-protected alabaster windows are illuminated and can be seen at a far distance. The Cathedral is built with architectural concrete in a color reminiscent of the sun-baked adobe walls of the California Missions and is designed to last 500 years.

The Great Bronze Doors, situated on the southeast side of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, were designed by the Mexican born Los Angeles sculptor, Robert Graham. Nearly five years in the making, they were built by some 150 artists.

The Great Bronze Doors, situated on the southeast side of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, were designed by the Mexican born Los Angeles sculptor, Robert Graham. Nearly five years in the making, they were built by some 150 artists.

The twelve bronze Dedication Candle Holders in the nave of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels were designed and fabricated by sculptor Max DeMoss. Each candle holder is buttressed on the walls by a magnificent bronze and silver angel. They biblically refer to the twelve tribes of Israel and to the twelve Apostles.

What makes a Cathedral special is a chair, in Latin the "Cathedra," or Bishop's chair. From this chair the Archbishop exercises his leadership responsibilities of teaching, governing and sanctifying. Jefferson Tortorelli designed a chair that fits a human, but has the presence needed to fit the Cathedral. He built a basic chair, then extended the two ebony arms outward as if welcoming the assembly.

The tapestries created by artist John Nava for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels are the largest collection hanging in a Catholic place of worship in the United States. In modern times, as in the past, tapestries have served as an art form that can combine great size with intricacy of detail, and in the Cathedral serve to soften the tonal quality and enhance the acoustics.

The pipe organ of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was commissioned from Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd., of Lake City, Iowa. According to one authority, it is the 89th largest pipe organ in North America and the 143rd largest in the world.

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