The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels sits on an elevated area of downtown Los Angeles, the old Bunker Hill, where it can be seen by people as they travel the busy Hollywood Freeway. Located between the Civic Center and the Cultural Center of the city, the Cathedral is linked to 302 parish churches of the Archdiocese thru easy access to major freeways. As we enter from the parking garage or the Shepherds Gate on Temple Street, we arrive at the Lower Plaza. The Shepherds Gate, or sheepgate, leads to the Grand Staircase, to the Upper Plaza, and a full view of the Cathedral. The Cathedral Plaza features three fountains with flowing water, the Gateway Pool and Water Wall, the Jerusalem Fountain, and the Meditation Garden Fountain. A monumental set of bronze doors cast by sculptor Robert Graham welcomes us. Inside are five chapels, the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Angels, Reconciliation, Art, and St. Vibiana's. The tapestries created by artist John Nava for the Cathedral are the largest collection hanging in a Catholic church in the entire US. Of the three tapestry groups, the most prominent is the Communion of Saints along the south and north walls of the nave. Twenty-five fresco-like tapestries depict 135 saints and blesseds from around the world, including holy men and women of North America canonized by the Church. The Crypt Mausoleum of the Cathedral is located on the lower level and is directly across from St. Vibiana's Chapel. Installed at the end of the south ...



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