Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Public Domain. Release under the CC BY Attribution license--http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/--Credit both “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library; From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Send requests to address or e-mail given USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Photograph (streetscape, horizontal photography) of the exterior view of St. Vibiana's Cathedral, Los Angeles, ca.1887. The building is approximately three-stories tall. It features cornices that wraps around the sides of the building, various sized pediments, embossed texts, decorative sculptures and large entrances. In the rear is a large dome-capped tower with a cross perched on the peak. In front of the building at the peak of the highest pediment is a cross that is perched on a stand. Flanking it on the corner of the building are statues mounted on stands. A man stands near a horse-drawn carriage that is parked on the dirt road in front of the church. "The Cathedral of St. Vibiana is the seat of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. It has been closed since May 1995 because of damage sustained during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Located at 114 E. 2nd Street, surrounded by abandoned buildings and bordering Skid Row, the rundown and neglected cathedral's future is in doubt. Plans for a cathedral for Los Angeles began as early as 1859. Using land donated to the Church by Amiel Cavalier, architect Ezra Kysor designed the building. The cathedral was dedicated in 1876 four years and $80,000 later St. Vibiana's was completed. Pope Pius IX chose the Cathedral's name, selecting St. Vibiana, a 3rd century martyr whose remains had been buried in the Roman catacombs. Since cathedrals traditionally contain the relics of a saint, the remains of Vibiana are now in a gilt and plate glass sarcophagus located in a niche above the high altar. The interior was remodeled about 1895, using onyx and marble. The exterior facade of the building was changed 1922-24 to give it its present look, said to be based on a Roman design. During the 1940s a school was added, but this was closed during the mid 1960s because the parish could not afford it. The building is now used as a convent by the Disciples of the Divine Master, while the basement is used for Masses." -- unknwon author, ca.1996.
Type
image
Format
1 photograph : photonegative, b&w 21 x 26 cm. negatives (photographic) photographs
Churches Horse Carriage St. Vibiana's Cathedral Los Angeles--Churches--Roman Catholic Los Angeles--Architecture--Churches--Roman Catholic Religious facilities
Time Period
circa 1887
Place
-118.24362,34.05098 -118.24293,34.05026 -118.24354,34.04972 -118.24431,34.05044 California Los Angeles Main Street & Second Street Saint Vibiana's Cathedral USA
Source
1-16-49; 1-6-135 [Microfiche number] 6091 [Accession number] CHS-6091 [Call number] California Historical Society [Contributing entity] isla id: S-4572 [Identifying number]
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