The structure replaced the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana , which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake . Under Cardinal Roger Mahony , Our Lady of the Angels was begun in 1998 and formally opened in September 2002 . There was considerable controversy over both its deconstructivist and modern design and exceptional costs incurred in its construction and furnishing , as well as the archdiocese 's decision to build a crypt under the Cathedral
1994 Northridge earthquake
1994 Northridge earthquake
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles)