Guardian Angel Cathedral Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Guardian Angel Cathedral

Location in Nevada Show map of Nevada Location in the United States Show map of the United States
36°07′50″N 115°09′49″W / 36.13056°N 115.16361°W / 36.13056; -115.16361
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

The Guardian Angel Cathedral is a special Catholic church in Winchester, Nevada, United States. It's located in the Las Vegas Valley, very close to the famous Las Vegas Strip. This church is important because it is the main church, called a cathedral, for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. Before 1995, it was a regular church parish within the Diocese of Reno.

History of the Cathedral
Architecture and Design
Images for kids
See also

History of the Cathedral

Building the First Church

In 1955, a church called St. Viator was built in the same area. However, the ground where it stood was not stable. Because of this, the church was declared unsafe and had to be taken down just six months after it opened.

Finding a New Home

After the first church was gone, Reverend Richard Crowley, a member of the Clerics of Saint Viator, needed a new place for his church. He asked Moe Dalitz, a businessman, to donate some land on the Las Vegas Strip. Even though Dalitz was Jewish, he liked the idea of a church being close by for his casino workers. In 1961, he gave land near the Desert Inn hotel.

Designing the Cathedral

Moe Dalitz knew about the work of a famous architect from Los Angeles named Paul R. Williams. Dalitz asked Williams to design the new church. The new building, called Guardian Angel Shrine, officially opened its doors on October 2, 1963.

Becoming a Cathedral

Later, in 1977, Bishop Norman McFarland decided that the Guardian Angel Shrine would become a co-cathedral. This meant it shared the role of the main church for the diocese. In 1995, the diocese was split, and the Diocese of Las Vegas was created. At that time, Guardian Angel kept its important status as the main cathedral. The cathedral was updated and improved in 1995, with renovations costing $1.3 million.

Architecture and Design

Unique Building Style

The architect, Paul R. Williams, designed the 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, there is a large mosaic artwork created by Edith Piczek, an artist from Los Angeles. This mosaic shows the Guardian Angel with three figures: Penance, Prayer, and Peace. Edith Piczek also painted a large mural on the back wall of the chancel, which is the area near the altar. This mural is called The Final Beginning.

Stained Glass and Seating

Her sister, Isabel Piczek, created the beautiful stained glass windows. These windows show the Stations of the Cross, which are images representing events in the journey of Jesus. The windows are placed in 12 triangular spaces that are part of the A-frame design. Inside, a large crucifix hangs from the ceiling above the altar, in front of the chancel mural. The cathedral can seat up to 1,100 people. The seats on the main floor are divided into four sections across the nave, which is the main part of the church. There is also a deep gallery, or balcony, above the main entrance with more seating.

Special Chapels

To the right of the altar, there is a special chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is kept. On the opposite side of the cathedral, there is another chapel called the Lady Chapel. This chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.