September 18, 2006VOL. 44, NO. 16Oakland, CA

New cathedral for Oakland begins to rise

During a recent tour of the construction site for the new Cathedral of Christ the Light, diocesan staff look at the structural forms that will become the floor of the altar. The circular area in the center will be covered with glass to allow light to filter through the glass floor into the mausoleum below. The altar will be placed atop the glass floor.

Construction superintendent Doug Stout explains to the diocesan staff that the area where they are standing will become the sanctuary floor.

A construction worker holds a prayer card with a drawing of the cathedral which he is helping to build. The workers threw religious medals into the concrete when they poured the cathedral’s foundation
on Dec. 9.

GREG TARCZYNSKI PHOTOS

A mausoleum holding 1300 crypts and 700 niches is being built directly underneath the cathedral. In addition, the cathedral center will include a conference center, and parish and diocesan offices. Below will be two floors of parking.

Bishop Allen Vigneron looks over the construction site at the corner of Grand Avenue and Harrison Street, directly across the street from Lake Merritt.

An aerial view of the site shows the shape of the cathedral. A grand staircase will lead worshippers from Harrison Street to the cathedral’s front doors. The entire complex is expected to be completed by the middle of 2008.

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