Guardian Angel Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guardian Angel Cathedral |
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| 36°07′50″N 115°09′49″W / 36.13056°N 115.16361°W | |
| Location | 302 Cathedral Way Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder(s) | Rev. Richard Crowley, CSV |
| Dedication | Guardian Angel |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Paul R. Williams |
| Style | Modern |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,100 |
| Number of spires | One |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Las Vegas |
| Province | Las Vegas |
Guardian Angel Cathedral is a special Catholic church in Winchester, Nevada, United States. It is located in the Las Vegas Valley. This church is very important because it is the main church, or "seat," for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. You can find it just off the famous Las Vegas Strip, close to big hotels like the Wynn and Encore. Before 1995, it was part of the Diocese of Reno.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Building the First Church
In 1955, a church called St. Viator Church was built. It was located on land that used to be a city dump. Unfortunately, the ground was not strong enough. Because of this, the church was declared unsafe and had to be torn down. This happened only six months after it first opened.
Finding a New Home
After the first church was gone, Reverend Richard Crowley, a member of the CSV, needed a new place for his church. He talked to Moe Dalitz, a businessman, about donating some land. Even though Mr. Dalitz was Jewish, he liked the idea of a church being close by for his casino workers.
Designing the New Church
In 1961, Mr. Dalitz donated land near the Desert Inn hotel. He knew about the work of a famous architect from Los Angeles named Paul R. Williams. Mr. Dalitz asked Mr. Williams to design the new church building. The new church, called Guardian Angel Shrine, officially opened its doors on October 2, 1963.
Becoming a Cathedral
Years later, in 1977, Bishop Norman McFarland chose Guardian Angel Shrine to be a "co-cathedral." This meant it shared the role of a main church for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas. In 1995, the diocese was split into two separate areas. The Diocese of Las Vegas was created, and Guardian Angel kept its important status as a cathedral. The cathedral was updated and improved in 1995, with the renovations costing about $1.3 million.
Architecture and Design
Unique Building Style
The architect, Paul R. Williams, designed Guardian Angel Cathedral using an A-frame style. This means the building looks like a large letter "A" from the front. A tall, four-sided spire with a cross on top stands to the front left of the cathedral. At the bottom of this spire, there is a statue of the Holy Family.
Artistic Details Inside and Out
Above the main entrance of the cathedral, there is a large mosaic artwork. It was created by an artist from Los Angeles named Edith Piczek. This mosaic shows the Guardian Angel with three figures: Penance, Prayer, and Peace. Edith Piczek also created a big mural on the back wall of the chancel (the area around the altar). This mural is called The Final Beginning.
Stained Glass Windows
The beautiful stained glass windows in the cathedral were made by Edith Piczek's sister, Isabel Piczek. These windows show the Stations of the Cross, which are images that tell the story of Jesus's final journey. The windows are placed in 12 triangular spaces that are part of the A-frame design.
Inside the Cathedral
A large crucifix hangs from the ceiling, right above the altar and in front of the chancel mural. The cathedral has enough space for 1,100 people to sit. The seats on the main floor are divided into four sections across the nave (the main part of the church). There is also a large balcony area above the main entrance. A special chapel for the Blessed Sacrament is located to the right of the altar. On the opposite side of the cathedral, there is another chapel called the Lady chapel.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral del Ángel de la Guarda (Las Vegas) para niños
- List of churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas
Images for kids
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Exterior detail
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Exterior detail
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View up the nave to the sanctuary
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Rear gallery
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Detail of Chancel mural: The Final Beginning
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Stained glass window: Station 14
