Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Great looking Cathedral! Hometown. First visited when it opened, inaugurated back in 2000. Recently visited on a Pilgrimage of Hope 2025. 9 mile walk with many parishioners from the LA archdiocese. 4-5k people. Amazing experience.

This cathedral is a relatively new addition to the Downtown Los Angeles landscape - the modern structure is constructed of concrete and was completed in 2002. The structure was designed by Spanish architect Jose Rafael Moneo and was intended to imitate adobe (traditional clay construction) and last 500 years. The massive bronze doors that welcome worshipers and visitors were created by sculptor Robert Graham, who also created the statue of the Virgin Mary with angels watching over her from above. Inside the cathedral, windows provide natural lighting and a glowing crucifix sits high above the altar. In the Crypt Museum, down the stairs, is the city's previous cathedral, built in 1876 and irreparably damaged in the 1994 earthquake. Admission to the cathedral is free.

Walk the grounds and admire the architecture. You are welcome to tour the cathedral too, the restaurant, and even stop to pray. Just remember to check the schedules if you want to attend a mass.

It's so beautiful and it's huge. The place was filled. I recommend going alot earlier then your mass starts, so much to see and cafe and gift shop, I have my regular church but I will go once a month, a great experience.

This place is great. I went to the mass and was nice. Nice songs. The architecture of the place is incredible.

Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral is a strikingly modern and aesthetically pleasing place of worship..

Beautiful & Amazing Cathedral. Extremely Spiritual. Anywhere you are the Lord's Presence will be their. Those that seek him & you will find him. But if u wanna be in a Spiritual Temple this the most Spiritual Temple too be in. Remember!!! The Lord is every where, just close your eyes in a safe quiet place & his Amazing Presence will be their.

We attended a high school graduation and the venue is massive. Art deco and modern architecture with lots of spiritual motifs in the construction. Trinity lamps with a trumpet like speaker, angel scones on the wall and just huge space! I love how the light peaks through the windows and the sound of the waterfall during service.

This Cathedral is truly beautiful and appropriate for the City of Angels. They are open until 6 Pm daily and have a parking garage as well. Parking is free on Sunday for 3 hours during their mass. After 1:30 PM, it is a flat fee of $12. On weekdays, the pakring is free for 1.5 hours during the morning and noon masses, otherwise there is a $4 rate for every 15 minutes ($25 max). They do have a gift shop that is open until 3 PM and unfortunately, closed on Saturdays. There is also a plaza, garden, and café, where you can sit down and eat after mass or if you are just visiting. Sunday Mass Schedule: 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12:30 PM (in Spanish)

The mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located near City Hall and the Music Center, within walking distance from numerous Metro stops in DTLA. My wife, mother-in-law, and I had the privilege to attend the first Sunday of Lent mass, presided over by Archbishop Gomez. It was a memorable experience. The Cathedral was dedicated in 2002, successor to the previous mother church: St Vibiana. It's very different than what you would picture when you think of a Catholic Cathedral from the outside. It's very, very modern. In fact, it's a bit difficult to guess what sort of building it is from the outside...the only clue to me were the large church bells visible in a corner. Since we walked to the church, we had a little confusion on which side the main entrance was (it is the SW facing end). There is a large multi story parking garage on the other side of the courtyard (flat rate of $12 on Sundays). Security is controlled, with limited entrance points and a mandatory bag check (I had to leave my backpack with security before entering the main building). Before walking into the main cathedral, there are vestibules with relics of Saints. The nave has fixed seating for 1,900 and movable seating for 1,100. It wasn't quite that full for the 10:00 mass. The pipe organ is 60 feet high, with 6,000 pipes. After mass, Archbishop Gomez waited in the courtyard to greet his congregation as they left, just like any other pastor would. Some interesting things to note: the archdiocese of Los Angeles is by far the largest in the U.S., in terms of Catholics living within its borders, but doesn't have the longer history that dioceses out East have. Thus things that I assumed I knew because of my experience with another archdiocese (Chicago), didn't apply . No church in the LA archdiocese has been given special privileges as a basilica (including its mother church), and its current leader is not a Cardinal. The words 'Catholic' and 'Tradition' and 'Symbolism' go hand in hand, but my assumptions (the largest diocese in the US would be led by a cardinal and would have multiple basilicas), in this case, were quite incorrect.

Beautiful cathedral I've attended a few graduations there I was privileged to see Pope John Paul's exhibit a couple years ago

This beautiful cathedral is located in Downtown Los Angeles. Years back, I was at a conference in Los Angeles and was invited to a service here at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. I got here early and did my own self-guided tour of this building. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was designed by award winning architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 2002. The previous Cathedral was damaged by earthquake. Despite the controversy over its postmodern design, it is still an amazing piece of architecture. I am an architecture junkie and really enjoyed my time exploring this cathedral. It is hard not to miss this structure while driving on the 101 freeway in downtown L.A. Their website gives all sorts of information about the artwork and architecture design of this cathedral. The entrance has bronze doors with various symbols and a statue of the Virgin Mary above them. There is an outdoor cafe and a really nice gift shop inside that sells all sorts of items like crosses, rosaries, jewelry and Bibles. I had a nice time walking around and checking out many of the painting and artwork. I didn't get a chance to visit, but there is a mausoleum on the lower level. One of the things that stands out most about Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is its pipe organ. I sat in on a service and was blown away by the sounds of the organ inside of the sanctuary. The original organ was built in 1929 and then later rebuilt in 1988. This massive organ has over six thousand pipes. The front pipes are beautifully displayed on the walls of the nave. Even though I am not Catholic, I really enjoyed my visit here at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and still in awe of its magnificent design. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is open to the public throughout the week.

The place is very solemn, perfect if you want to have some alone time and feel God's presence.

Love love this church! Everyone is very kind and welcoming I I attend 10 am English Mass and 12:30 pm Spanish Mass

What a beautiful church in DTLA. This is our first time checking the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Tuesday, Dec 26th at noon. They have showcase of different arts, Chapel, and Mausoleum. There is also parking available for fees. We have visitors from out of town for couple days visiting and they want to check this church and asked us to come along.

I have not attended church service here but have visited on several occasions for memorials, events, and religious ceremonies. A beautiful cathedral located in downtown, this serves as the Mother church for the Archdiocese in LA and the Roman Catholic Archbishop here.

I have visited the shrine of St. Vibiana at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. She is in a marble sarcophagus with kneelers for praying in veneration. The crypt, surprisingly , is full of light, with the stained glass pictures from the original St. Vibiana Cathedral, which was severely damaged in an earthquake. The new Cathedral unfortunately looks like a barn from the outside. Inside however it is filled with light from thin alabaster slices in the ceiling and above the alter. The marble floor has rays leading to the alter, where there is a large circular figure like a map of the City of God. All of the wooden podiums and structures, as well as the pews are sealed with A satin, not glossy finish. Along the sides of the sanctuary are large tapestries depicting saints, looking like everyday people, interspersed with ordinary people depicting all of us as the Communion of Saints. It is truly beautiful in a surprising and non-traditional way. [ spelling of "alter" should be altar] This is a beautiful place for Catholics and none Catholics alike. Don't expect an ordinary, ornate, cathedral. The choir and cantor include some performers from the L.A. Opera chorus. The organist is a professional level musician. Highly recommended!

This place is ostentatious, but in a good way. I guess that would make it grandiose. I have been here a few times, and each time I go, I do so with the following lens: I am experiencing the place, the atmosphere, the moment, the circumstance, the pageantry, and the pomp, as if I am viewing a performance, not a religious rite! Although I was born into the Catholic religion, I do not practice the faith in that way. Still, I find peace in this place. Why? Even though I am detached from the granular aspects of the Catholic religion, I can still embrace the feelings associated with solemn practices. I have been here several times-- but fewer than six. My latest experience came when I went to Christmas Eve Mass in Spanish. This Mass was at 7, but they had carols in Spanish starting at 6:30. I got there about an hour early and parked on a side street near the church. On one of my trips there, I discovered that there is parking near this side street if one gets there early. The cool part about it is that when you walk from the street to the main entrance of the church, you pass a man-made waterfall. The sound of the splashing and running water confuses my mind in the most wonderful way. I am in LA--a concrete jungle--but then I hear the sounds of an actual green jungle. It makes me want to look for the animals that slither and crawl amongst the asphalt. However, you will probably only see a rat. But don't let a rodent deter you from the might of this place; instead, focus on the cascading sound of the nearby waterfall. If you walk the perimeter of the building, you'll find the waterfall. I am not going to lie, I was underwhelmed by the choir. The first time I went to this cathedral was when I took my mother for a Mother's Day service. Soon after that day, I discussed how this cathedral offered a performance. The lead singer was epic. She sang beautifully. I was a convert, a believer that the Masses at this church offered an engaging spectacle to praise! So my surprise at how much I was not loving the choir heightened. But later in the Christmas Eve service, a new lead vocalist came on, and she sang, and she arrested me and the audience. The choir now supported the singer. Is that the true role of a choir, to support a singer, or are they meant to shine on their own? I am going to say the second option. A choir is one; a choir is not many for one. I assume, but I would like to think so. Additionally, going here was the first time I saw a censer in action. A censer is a ball and chain--but golden--that is used to burn incense. A lot of incense was burned during the Mass, and it added a mystical element to the proceedings. The smoke was our prayers being sent to heaven; the smoke also anointed and purified. It was a pleasure to see tradition and honor being observed with steadfast vigor and belief. I felt the peace, as I said. So then I am sitting there, staring at the mural right in front of me--this is still during Christmas Eve Mass. And then I swear I could see the mural of two angels and the Virgin Mary move a little. Not like I was experiencing a special sight or vision, but like the art or design of the mural made the images sparkle or reflect in such a way that they seemed to move. And please do not think I was seeing a 3D effect, or like consistent waves. I was just seeing or imagining some minimal, almost undetectable cascading of tile. If you know the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then you have seen a censer. Buffy uses it to knock Spike out after he revives Drusilla. This is a wink I hope the right person notices. I also went to this cathedral on the Virgin Mary's birthday. The wall had laser roses going up and down. And yes, these were clearly visible to all with working eyesight. They had free tamales, coffee, and bread. It was a pleasure to be in the crowd. I enjoy this place a lot--on special occasions!!!

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a religious person. I went to daily mass to accompany my mom and then we stayed for the organ concert that they were hosting. Very very nice. The church staff is kind and welcoming and the cathedral is beautiful.

Beautiful mass. The choir and large pipe organ were fantastic. Beautiful sound. The cathedral itself is breathtaking. Gorgeous alter and walk hangings.

The church and mass is great. Security is terrible and heartless. Parking is supposed to be free for mass goers. I went to the Blessed Sacrament and the ticket guys were already gone by the time I got out. Sign says parking is free for mass goers. Lady in security refused to give me validation. Heartless people here. I can pay and I hope it goes to the church. But what about those who can't pay $24??? Heartless folks in my God's home when this is supposed to be a place of refuge. The dark smoke has evidently entered the church. Pray pray pray.

A minimal industrial, but large cathedral in the heart of downtown LA. The colors are gorgeous, light sepia. And the sound with lots of acoustic echoes. I appreciate this place, it's privacy, without having any windows. There's an underground structure for parking, there are at least 2 levels that you need to pay for. Aside from being a visitor I wouldn't feel the need to come to mass here or be a regular - to me it's like the concert-esque venue of Catholic Churches/cathedrals lol. That's just me, I'm more of a smaller homey type church just because that's what I grew up around. Impressive? Yes for LA, and that's what it is, very LA. Still worth a stop if you've never been. Tip: stairs are required if you park in structure, must use lift for wheelchairs/walkers.

I am grateful to the Cathedral for hosting Father Mike Schmitz this morning at the annual prayer breakfast. The event was well organized and well attended. The mass however left a lot to be desired. There is nothing traditional at all about worship at the Cathedral. It is all the worst part of Vatican two and none of the best parts. There was absolutely no chant... all of the arrangements were VERY 70's, protestanty, cumbia, guitar, stuff. Sadly the beautiful pipe organ wasnt even used once. Even the Kyrie had a strange arrangement. Another big let down was the girls who brought up the gifts. Three teenage girls with skirts shorter than most pop stars. Catholic school uniforms need to be at the knee. You don't allow three improperly dressed girls to bring up the gifts in that manner before an Archbishop and 3 cardinals. Also I never understood placing the cantor in the sanctuary and in front of everyone. There was much wisdom in the Church creating unique spaces for the choir. Lastly the artwork behind the altar is in poor taste - just boring and without any depth. If you want a modern cathedral with modern art, then at least do it well.. The Cathedral in Mexico City is an example of this. I will point out some good. Archbishop Gomez seem like a very Holy man, and his teaching isn't full of error like we see in many Bishops / Cardinals. Also, it was great to see the chalice offered post covid. I would pray that this Cathedral returns to tradition, to reverence, to holiness, to remembering the sacrifice of the mass is supposed to transcend time and modern tastes / ideas. The Cathedral should be the role model of all daughter Parishes. In this day we quite often see the opposite.

As a very faithful Catholic (I attend daily Mass at my home parish), I looked at the outside of this Cathedral and thought "there is no reverence to this building. It looks like a Museum or even a hospital. Leave to to LA to get so artsy with a building that they miss the whole point." WELL as you can see from my review, I was quite wrong (love when the Lord teaches us a lesson in humility! ;) ) Do not judge a book by its cover when attending Mass here. I went inside and felt like it was an extremely holy place. You can tell they have a lot of non-Catholic tourists enter because they have signs up explaining what to do for Mass (who should and shouldn't accept the Eucharist, etc). I appreciate that they do that because I respect that other denominations may be interested in visiting and it's helpful to know how to participate in the Mass if you are not Catholic. My absolute favorite thing was the tapestry covering the entire walls of the Cathedral that had so many of our beloved Saints on it. I even got emotional when looking at some of them. They all looked so incredibly real and lifelike. We sat up near the front and I kept glancing over at the images of St. Maria Goretti and St. Agatha. I feel like the images are of two young girls you could easily pass on the street. All of these images were incredibly inspiring to me, leaving me feeling that every single one of us could be a Saint (which I'm sure is partially what the artist intended). I also loved how it portrayed the diversity of the Church. So many nationalities of Saints were represented: Asian, African American, Hispanic/Latino. It made me feel like I was in an Art Museum after Mass walking up and down and viewing all of these Saints as they would have appeared in their earthly life. It was such a special treat. I also loved the "Adoption" statue of St. Joseph and young Jesus. We happened to be at Mass here for Father's Day so I took a picture of that and sent it to some of the special Catholic fathers in my life. There is also an area that commemorates St. John Paul II's visit to LA in 1987. And another area where there is a very tiny relic of the Tilma of Saint Juan Diego ( a rarity for sure!). I loved everything about this Cathedral and I'm so glad my boyfriend and I were able to make it to Mass here on our LA trip. It is a must-see for any Catholic.

I came to this beautiful Cathedral for my friend, Deputy Joseph Solano's memorial service. It had been a terrible week from looking for his killer to pulling him off from life support. We had all been so hopeful that he would pull through from being randomly attacked and shot in the head. So it was hard and emotional day for myself, his family and co-workers (Sheriff's Department) to truly appreciate the beauty of this church This Cathedral is located in the midst of downtown Los Angeles. This church is known to serve over 5 million Catholics. This church is elegant and spacious in design. It has beautiful high ceilings and art furnishings. You can definitely sense the presence of God. It was peaceful while we listen to the eulogy. You can feel the love the Pastor had for Deputy Solano. We left there with uplifting words and inner peace. The staff here were very organized and control the public's curiosity so we could have a private ceremony. Overall, this place brought us hope from despair. It was truly an honor to be part of this special ceremony to honor someone so amazing. It was wonderful to hear people, who knew him best to share stories of his kindness and services. It brought us great comfort to mourn together and feel the presence of God's blessings

This Cathedral is absolutely beautiful!! Every detail in the Cathedral leaves you in AWE! We attended mass during Ash Wednesday and it was beautiful. The Bishop was also present for mass so that was a bonus hearing him speak during mass. They have so much seating, you don't have to worry about not finding a seat. In regards to having so much security as the other reviews were stating, it's not even a big deal. They don't even speak to you and let you walk around but sometimes they do check bags which there is a sign that clearly states it! With how big and beautiful it is, I would hope to have security around especially since they have a ton of visitors!! Overall, beautiful Cathedral. Also, you do have to pay for parking unless you attend mass you can have it validated but only if it is for 90 mins.

If you've never visited our Cathedral, do yourself a favor and make it a top priority. I suggest the 10 am Mass on Sunday. Archbishop Jose Gomez is often presiding. Top notch organist with a massive organ. Awesome choir, it's like you're hearing the voices of angels. Beautiful liturgies!! You can't go wrong with worshiping here. Please note that in the Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, their exists a relic of the original tilma...the only one outside of Mexico!!!

I came here on Christmas Eve I'm not a member of the church I just live down the street. I was here for 40 mins. I didn't want to come for mass because I wasn't dressed nice and to be honest I just wanted to pray because I lost my brother today to a OD. I broke down completely and decided to go before everyone showed up. They tried to charge me 10 dollars parking so I was like oh well in that case I will stay for Mass. I realized I only had cash so I thought oh well nevermind I'll just leave anyways. They gave me such a hard time here to try and leave. I clearly have a face full of tears.... I'm having a breakdown. They treated me so poorly. Enough for someone at breaking point to have a meltdown. Compassion was not here. Pretending to not speak English to me at the gate while I'm trying to explain I only have cash. Terrible.

Beautiful cathedral with different art works. Restrooms are downstairs and the mausoleum is huge and also downstairs. Peaceful, quiet, and a place to think. Very well taken care of and maintained. There's a garden there and a store. Parking lots available but walking distance to bus stops as well. Backpacks need to be checked in. The guy by the gate checked it in but disappeared after we were done so had to go inside to find someone as working in there to help us open the door to the storage room. Cameras are on inside so don't go too close to the front if you don't want your face in the videos/photos. A few different paintings and sculptures from artists in there and they are unique.

Beautiful Vigil of the Nativity services. Some in Spanish and some English. We need a little Christmas...as the song goes. Christmas Day Mass in the morning. About 150 people were allowed to attend each Mass. Odd words to write. The organist was a most accomplished musician. A joy to hear.

This cathedral which is located in the heart of Dtla was the first ever Catholic Church we went to when we first landed in the United States. We went here to give thanks for the safe trip and to pray for a good life ahead of us as immigrants. Since then, we had been coming here occasionally as we had already found a closer church where we live. It's always been a great feeling to visit every now and then. We come here every year for the Simbang Gabi during the Holiday Season and every time we have family and friends who come by for a visit. I like the huge plaza by the entrance. It has two huge fountains, a children's park, lots of benches to sit on, a cafeteria for refreshments, and a huge staircase leading to the actual cathedral. The cathedral itself is huge, clean and airy. Lots of seating provided to parishioners. On going exhibits at both sides of the cathedral. Clean restrooms downstairs next to St. Viviana Chapel. You can also freely roam around the nice mausoleum where you'll find glass stained art all over the entire place.

The tapestries of the saints that hang in the church are truly spectacular and inspiring (even if the modernist architecture is less so). I got a little bit teary-eyed looking at the vivd, life-life representations of the saints, especially Saint John Neuman, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint James, and Saint Frances Cabrini -- the depictions of all the saints are portrayed with striking realness. The mausoleum under the sanctuary is surprising for many reasons, which you will need to discover for yourself. What an uplifting and inspiring destination is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels!

This is my favorite church. I enjoy coming here with family and I try to attend the Christmas Mass at midnight every year with them. If you plan to attend a certain Mass time, consider going early to find a parking spot quickly and get a good seat. I also love how this massive cathedral welcomes new guests from all walks of life and recognizes those who have come to attend Mass for the first time! When I am not able to attend Mass every Sunday, I view the Sunday Mass from the Cathedral's YouTube or Facebook page. It usually airs live, but the weekly video remains on their social media pages. Thousands of people come here every week and it is very understandable. The architecture is beautiful, the music is superb, and the whole staff is kind. Archbishop José H. Gomez knows how to keep everyone entertained and is known for giving praise to others. We also often light the candles outside of the cathedral to pay tribute to our loved ones that we have lost.

Must visit when in downtown area. Spacious and parking on weekends during the mass is free. Mass delivers in Spanish and English. Worth the stop to reflect the ongoing tensions.

THIS REVIEW IS STRICTLY IN REGARDS TO THE CATHEDRAL AS A SPECIAL EVENT VENUE Our group arrived by shuttle so I'm not sure how the parking is for the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels but I saw that they do have signs pointing to their own parking structure/space. There is also no shortage of paid parking lots in this area of DTLA. The ballroom we were in was large and in great condition. The cool thing about having your event here is that guests are allowed to roam the grounds. They have a beautiful garden with garden/patio furniture and umbrellas to rest and various playful sculptures dotting the grounds.. There is a very nice gift shop on the same level as the garden, as well as a small non-sit-down restaurant. The cathedral itself was open and it is stunning. I know preference-wise, most people feel that a "traditional" gothic or renaissance style place of worship is more appropriate, but architecture and beauty-wise, and really, theology-wise, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the modern style of this cathedral. It is beautiful and though it is "cleaner"/"empty-er" than traditional cathedrals, the space still lends an atmosphere of solemnity. There are numerous chapels around and under the main worship hall. The mausoleum is beautiful with stained glass and lined with limestone, it is simply stunning. Vibiana's Chapel also is beautiful. So much works of beauty, including the building itself.

As a professional videographer and photographer in the wedding industry, and the now countless times I have attended and worked at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, I can confidently say this is the holy grail of churches in ALL of the Los Angeles area. There is no larger-than-life, more dramatic cathedral in LA to my knowledge--and if that's what you're looking for, by George that's what you will get. Even Cardinal Roger Mahoney will drop by now and again... and that's something I don't believe just any church can provide. Because of the sheer size of this location, there are plenty of great spots to implement shooting wise, and with the perfect team of videographers and photographers, some unbelievable images can be created--especially beyond the use of shade the main building creates. And if creative, there are many things to shoot through inside the cathedral that can make every wedding or event or unique in its own way. Parking is unfortunately via pay only--but parking is ample--unlike the rest of Downtown. And although the staff can be friendly enough, sometimes they can get on a photographer's case for crossing a "boundary" that should not be crossed. Not too big of a deal. All in all, if a BIG Catholic event is in your itinerary, this is the place to go. Check out examples of some of the work I've done there with Prince Weddings! http://princeweddings.net/blog/tag/cathedral-of-our-lady-of-the-angels/ *The above review is not a promotion of any business and is based solely on factual, personal experience. The purpose of this review is for our unique experience to be useful to any prospective consumer.

Loved the inside! Beautiful!!! I recently visited this cathedral and it was breathtaking!

What a beautiful church in the middle of DTLA! I drive by this church on the way to work everyday but never stopped by until I was here for a wedding. The outside is nothing really special compared to other churches I have seen but inside is pretty amazing. Beautiful, clean, and huge! If you do have a wedding here, remember that this is a church and it does not shut down so there will be random visitors in the back. They block off the front area of the church but people are still allowed inside during your ceremony. They also do not have any place for you to get ready at the church. You basically use the church for the ceremony and leave.

Hello everyone Good Morning God Bless each one of you and have Mercy for the hole World Amen

Sometimes you just need a break from your home parish, and when I do - I attend the Sunday 10 am mass at the Cathedral. While the music isn't as contemporary as my home parish, but I do find the traditional choir music to be simply beautiful. The lectors are always on point, and the homilies challenging. The Cathedral knows how to do liturgy right! Most importantly, I love to go to mass here to see Catholics of all ages and races worshipping together. LA is truly a melting pot, and the Cathedral is a wonderful home for all Angelenos.

Regardless of your beliefs and what religion you are; if your in need of spiritual cleansing and healing this is somewhere you want to visit. You can sit in peace, sit and pray, light a candle or bless yourself with holy water regardless of what you do you will find peace and comfort. Parking is free on Sunday. There is a gift shop located near the parking structure.

What a beautiful cathedral. As others have said, its design is modern, sleek and minimalist. Very unique for a Catholic church. I came here to see Libera in concert. Libera is a boys choir from the UK, and I've always wanted to see them perform live. Hearing their angelic voices, resonating high in the massive cathedral, was truly otherworldly. Thank you to the church for hosting such a talented group. Note: there are kiosk machines in the parking garage in which you pay for your parking prior to leaving. It's a $10 flat rate after 4 pm and the machines accept credit cards. After a major event, expect a long line at the machines.

I like to go to mass in different cities and countries. There are basic similarities and subtle differences. At this Cathedral, the most outstanding difference was the Offertory. Usually, a basket is passed around or ushers come through the aisles with bowls. Not here. Everyone who wishes to contribute must walk to the front and place their envelope in the large basket. ..a bit awkward. Other than that, everything was fascinating! Warm colors of honey, almond, toast, and chocolate surround us in a large open space. At home in Hawaii, our Cathedral is white and traditional with arches and pillars. This LA Cathedral is shaped like a "Y" or "T" with a great view from every seat. I liked the geometric shapes...so interesting. ..even the chandeliers were artsy! Downstairs, there's a chapel for more intimate services. There's also a mausoleum... it's very quiet and sacred. Wow! Back upstairs, there's an art exhibit to commemorate the Canonization of Fray Junipero Serra, the Founder of the Church in California. There are 21 paintings of each of the California Missions. Awesome! There are alcoves where you can meditate or light a candle for special request or to give thanks. My favorite was the one with Pope John Paul II. Amen! The best display was the one called "City of Angels: Portraits". All types of people were photographed with angel wings behind them. From former Mayors of LA, to artists, authors, children, LAPD Officers and realtors, to journalists, the homeless, students and politicians, the photographer captured the angels around us on this earth! Let's continue to "bring forward the angelic in each of us"!

As part of our yearly New Years day tradition, we attend mass here at Our Lady of the Angels. This Cathedral is not like your typical Catholic parishes, it is more than that. The Cathedral can accommodate over 1000 people for mass. Inside the downstairs area, they have a small chapel for more of an intimate setting. In addition to the chapel, they also have a mausoleum where some famous people are placed there. You can actually walk around the mausoleum if you have the courage to do so. On the outside of the Cathedral, there is a big courtyard where you can sit down at the tables and just enjoy the area. They also have a gift shop where you can purchase religious items. The best part of the Cathedral is the architecture. It features high ceilings with a funnel type contraption hanging down from the ceiling that resonates the voices of the priests, speakers and the organ music. Along the sides, they have special areas where you can pray. The cathedral is a nice place to visit in DTLA whether you are Catholic or not. It's just an amazing Cathedral.

I had the honor of coming to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for a lovely Baptism on a Saturday late morning and I was breath taken from this church on both a spiritual and a nonspiritual level. This church encompasses the perfect balance between an architectural masterpiece and a historical landmark. Even if you are not religious, I dare say, you can still admire its' glorious beauty. For the Baptism ceremony in particular, this church has a special area built in for this specific purpose. This side wing of the church has a mini-water/fountain area.. .. with an artistic display of a Baptism in the background. Seating is limited and reserved for the immediate family members, but you can sit in the regular mass rows and turn yourself to face this area. About a dozen of baptisms are taken place. Even as a Buddhist, I really enjoyed the quick sermon/speech given by the priest. He reminded the parents, as well as the godparents and sponsors, that children will learn from us both through our active and passive lessons. It is important to tell them the difference between right and wrong, but it is more so important to show them through your personal actions to reinforce these lessons. Otherwise they would pick up our bad habits... Special shout out to Baby Paris!! Thank you Iris and Paul for inviting me to this soulful experience!! The only thing that takes away from this experience is the $8 parking... CASH ONLY so I suggest you bring some with you. ATM located nearby, but I'm sure they charge a service fee... Good thing I don't live in downtown LA. I might be less religious when I'm short on cash... partial JK!!

Even though it's a cathedral, I feel like it's a really accessible one that creates an intimate feeling despite its size. I love all the little details. There are twelve palm trees located in front of the main entrance that represent the twelve apostles. The main entrance itself is flanked by two huge doors. The left one contains a depiction of a rosary modeled after the artist's mother's favorite rosary, which is actually embedded in the door itself. The doors also have multiple symbols on raised squares, not all of which are Catholic. This is to symbolize that people of all creeds are welcome. The scripture located just right of the main entrance also echoes this sentiment. It's from Isaiah 56:7 which ends with "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." During one of the masses, Cardinal Mahoney even asked first time visitors to stand, welcomed, and thanked them for coming. The sloped walkway into the church is to signify that you're walking into a holy place. There are three steps down to the baptismal bath located in the back of the church to denote the Holy Trinity. The artist that created the tapestries of saints hung along the walls used everyday people he chose at random in LA as models. There are also individuals dressed in modern clothing that aren't denoted as a particular saint to signify that there are saints amongst us today. If you go for mass, definitely take the time to explore the altar afterwards. For some reason, I particularly love how the fixtures stemming from the ceiling look like angels' trumpets. They are actually speakers so that there is no lag time from the front of the church to the back. There are also twelve small sculptures of angels that hold a candle scattered around the church itself, again to symbolize the apostles. My friend was the one to note that each angel had different wings. If you look down, you'll also realize that the floor tiles emanate from the altar. There are also no right angled corners located on the main floor. This is to signify that no one is perfect in this life. The main church is flanked by smaller wings that contain art that changes from time to time. The Blessed Sacrament and confessionals can be found in these wings. I like how there's also a Santo Nino located in one of them. Attending mass, listening to the readers, and watching the volunteers made me feel like there's a notable presence of the Filipino community which I'm obviously going to like. Located below is a small chapel that contains the stations of the cross, Saint Vibiana's tomb along with the original plaque that marked her original burial grounds. I like that the stations are located in a smaller, more intimate setting. The stained glasses are the ones from the former cathedral. The mausoleum is actually not unsettling or creepy to tour. When walking through the main entrance, one of the first wings to the left holds a time capsule to be opened in ~100 years. The grave of one individual in the same wing illuminates the person's great sense of humor with an inscription: I beat 2012! Before someone imprudently declares this cathedral to be an "Abomination of Desolation" for its modernity, they should really take the time to examine all the subtle details of COLA with an open mind and furthermore, examine the quality of the grammar in their review of the cathedral as well.

Attend Mass? Check. Listen to the choir? Check. Tour the cathedral? Check. Light a candle and say a prayer for a loved one? Check. Check out the gift shop? Check. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Parking was easy. The grounds are beautiful and easily accessible by foot, walker, wheelchair, or stroller. I will be back again to visit when I'm in town.

Church is nice, the security guards are another story. They have big egos and will power trip. They impose their will on you for no reason. Will do a deep search of any pack, interrogate you to get your parking validation, will not respect your privacy and use of a service animal, and will generally be assholes and make the visit unpleasant. Doesn't make it feel like family when attending church, more like a corporation. Avoid them if possible.

Beautiful cathedral. Take note of the tapestries hanging along the walls, depicting the many saints of Catholic history! Each was modeled after a real live person by the artist John Nava. Read more about the techniques used and the artistry behind them here: http://www.olacathedral.org/cathedral/art/tapestries.html The cathedral honors the diverse heritage of worshipers from the Los Angeles area. A definite place to see post modern architecture incorporated in to the sacred. Explore their website to learn more about the art, the architecture, the symbolisms and history of the cathedral. http://www.olacathedral.org/ Some people have issues about the size and location of this place but I have always thought the beauty it reflects comes from a rich cultural heritage and history. Do visit YOUR cathedral!

Very modern Catholic church in downtown Los Angeles. When I think of Cathedrals, I picture old historic churches in my mind. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels is not what I pictured. Still, it is beautiful. Recommend dropping by if you are in downtown L.A. The church is open for everyone to see. Make sure to drop by the gift shop. Many lovely blessed items to be found there. Also, the Plaza and gardens should not be missed. Very lovely.

I have a lot of words to describe this cathedral but Catholic aint one of them. Cathedrals should inspire and awe. This does neither. It is a brick. Perhaps if i went during a mass id feel differently. But as a tourist? Blah

Que no supuestamente es la casa de Dios y todos somos bienevenidos, bine de lejos y traje a mi perro es pequeño y no me dejaron pasar ni al atrio, pero si me cobraron mis 20$ de parkin por solo entrar a que me echaran.

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The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angel in Downtown Los Angeles at a glance reminded me of those South American or Mexican jail compounds that are sometimes shown on those shows like 60 Minutes, ABC News, Dateline & 48 Hours. I walked around the compound, browsed the gift shop, attended mass in progress, browsed religious/spiritual art (ancient and modern) and ate lunch on the premises. It was much different than Catholic Churches that I've visited in the past. This church seemed more like a museum. I loved the playful animal statues. I'm thinking the significance would be the story of Noah's Ark. The only sense spirituality I felt, came from sitting near, and observing the man-made cascading waterfalls/fountains. The sound coupled with a view gave me a sense of serenity. My visit there was not planned. I just found it downtown in the middle of everything looking for the Metro96 back to Chinatown. I like the irony of the church being on Temple Street. That gave me a giggle. And it's definitely different. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to visit, however, if you're in the area... Go explore.

Although I don't practice my Faith as much as I should, this cathedral really opened my eyes. It's incredible and breath taking and makes me understand why it cost so much money to build. We happened to walk in on a wedding and it was beautiful. The mausoleum was incredible and they have a saint buried there. It's kind of scary knowing your in a cemetery but it's kind if beautiful. I can't even imagine how much it costs to be buried there or have a marble space Anywho it's beautiful and very spiritual

The Cathedral is the most beautiful church right in the heart of Downtown. I knew this was going to be the church I would get married in and I am so happy I did. The process was he best experience I have ever experienced and I am so thankful for meetings with father Brian, it was truly an experience I'll never forget. I would highly recommend this church not only is it breathtaking to see but also has the most amazing people.

I ordered a St. Francis Pectoral cross here. I think the St Francis Pectoral cross arrived in excellent condition. It was true to form and everything I could have asked for.