The 1994 Northridge earthquake severely damaged the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana , which led the archdiocese to close the cathedral due to safety concerns . In January 1995 the archdiocese announced plans to build a new cathedral on the Saint Vibiana site , plans which necessitated the demolition of the old cathedral . This led to a lengthy legal battle between the archdiocese and preservationists , who argued that the cathedral was a city landmark and that it should be either incorporated into the new cathedral or otherwise saved . The archdiocese contended that restoring the old cathedral would cost $ 18 – 20 million , an amount that it contended no one would donate
1994 Northridge earthquake
1994 Northridge earthquake
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (Los Angeles)