The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels building design and treatment of the site respond to the expression of personal and community-based spiritually, the authority of the Church as an institution, and a response to climate.
As a Catholic, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels serves as one of the greatest gathering places to worship God in the city of Los Angeles. The exterior design of the Church is an invitation to enter and worship God with its 50-foot cross that stands in front of the Church. I believe that architect Jose Rafael Moneo made the 50-foot cross the focal point of the Church because not only is it a recognize symbol within Catholics, but it can be seen from the Hollywood Freeway and from many other locations. From the interior of the Church the high ceiling makes everyone who enters turn their heads up and know that there is someone above them, God. The 50-foot cross that is easily visible from the outside of the Church also serves as the focal point on the inside where the main Altar is located.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels serves the total Archdiocese of over 4 million Catholics. As the heart of all 287 Parish Churches and communities, it is the place where the Archbishop celebrates the major Liturgies of the year with clergy, religious and laity (Olacathedral). The Cathedral serves as a "model Church for all Parish Churches" in the style and content of its liturgical celebrations. In design, art and furnishings, the Cathedral is rich in cultural diversity in a city in which Sunday Mass is celebrated in 42 different languages.
For Catholics, including myself, a Cathedral is the “Mother Church” which is the official seat of the Bishop or Archbishop and every Diocese and Archdiocese must have. The Roman Catholic Church has never adopted a particular style of architecture and that is why the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels doesn’t have the traditional designs of Middle Ages in Europe and instead has a...