Cathedral of Saint Vibiana

The former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, often called St. Vibiana's, was the mother church cathedral parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles under the pastoral care of the Archbishop of Los Angeles. It is now the site of a performing arts complex as well as the Little Tokyo branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. The original cathedral structure is one of the last remaining buildings from the early period of Los Angeles history.

History

Plans for a cathedral dated back to 1859; and land for the facility was donated by Amiel Cavalier. The complex, on the Southeast corner of Main and Second Street, in downtown Los Angeles was dedicated in 1876, and cost $80,000 USD. The Cathedral's architect, Ezra F. Kysor, also designed the landmark Pico House. The Baroque-inspired Italianate structure was a landmark in the early days of Los Angeles; when it opened it could hold one-tenth of the young town's population.Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.] The interior was remodeled around 1895, using onyx and marble; the exterior facade was changed in 1922-24 to give it its present look, said to be based on a Roman design.

Pope Pius IX chose the Cathedral's name, choosing 3rd century Roman martyr Saint Vibiana. Cathedrals traditionally contained the relics of a saint, so the remains of St. Vibiana were removed from the Catacombs of Rome and moved to a gilt and plate glass sarcophagus located in a niche above the high altar.

During the 1940s, a rectory and school building were added. The school closed in 1969 because the parish could not afford it. It became a convent for the Disciples of the Divine Master.

The facility was outgrown by the region's rapidly expanding population, and the Archdiocese decided that it needed a larger main facility; however, preservationists pressured them to not destroy the historic landmark. The situation was complicated further when the 1994 Northridge Earthquake caused extensive damage to the cathedral and its 1,200-seat sanctuary.Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.] Deciding that the damage was not worth repairing in such a small structure, the Archdiocese began demolition on the site in 1996, without permits. However, the sudden dismantling of the bell tower on a Saturday morning prompted a frantic save-the-cathedral campaign, and work by the Archdiocese was halted by preservationists who had a temporary restraining order placed on demolition.Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.] The Archdiocese argued that it had the right to level its own facility; preservationists and the city wanted the church to be preserved. The structure was listed on the country's "11 Most Endangered Places" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A state Court of Appeal rejected the archdiocese's argument to be allowed to quickly demolish the cathedral; then City Councilwoman Rita Walters had moved to strip the cathedral of its historic monument status, an action that would exempt the archdiocese from having to prepare the full environmental impact study normally required for destruction of a city landmark.Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.]

Finally a compromise was reached: the City of Los Angeles agreed to swap land with the Archdiocese, giving the Church a much larger plot next to the 101 Freeway. The Archdiocese agreed and the land was developed into the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, constructed and consecrated as the new mother church cathedral parish of the Archdiocese. Some items from St. Vibiana's Cathedral were used in the new Cathedral. The stained glass and sarcophagus were placed in the new Cathedral's crypt mausoleum. Pipes from the 1980 Austin pipe organ have been incorporated into the organ at the new Cathedral.

The Cathedral site was taken over by the city. The city sold the former cathedral building to downtown developer Tom Gilmore in 1999 for $4.6 million; Gilmore has spent $6 million renovating it and turning it into a performing arts complex, now named "Vibiana".Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.] The non-historic 1940s Education Building was demolished, making way for the new Little Tokyo Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.

In August 2007, the 3,500-pound cupola was returned to the top of the 83-foot-tall bell tower.Bob Pool, [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vibiana30aug30,1,3941383.story Former cathedral gets its crown back] , "Los Angeles Times", August 30, 2007.]

References

* [http://www.nationaltrust.org/11most/list.asp?i=133 11 Most Endangered Places: Cathedral of St. Vibiana] , National Trust for Historic Preservation
* [http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archives/la/historic/vibiana.html Cathedral of St. Vibiana] , USC Libraries.

External links

* [http://www.vibianala.com Vibiana, the former Archdiocese cathedral] , An events venue, wedding and reception site, and performing arts space
* [http://www.cathedralsofcalifornia.com Cathedrals of California]