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| Navdeep |
Christ the Light is the first cathedral to be built in the 21st century. It replaces the Cathedral of St Francis de Sales, which was irreparably damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Originally planned in 2000 under the direction of Bishop John Stephen Cummins and broken ground on May 21, 2005, Christ the Light was consecrated and dedicated by Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron on September 25, 2008.
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| This image shamelessly taken from wikipedia/christ_the_light. View from across Harrison Street |
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| The cathedral is in the shape of a fish. |
When you enter the cathedral you encounter the Baptistery. This makes sense in that we are brought into the Body of Christ, the Church, through Baptism. "Living water" flows through the Baptistery. The water is also sanctified and reverts to its primordial state before the Fall. It's what makes the water "holy". It is sanctified by the Spirit through a bishop or priest.
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| Baptistery |
Icon of Christ the Light
You behold the magnificent image of Christ the Light! The image is made of filtered sunlight through a screen. It is truly awesome.
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| Organ pipes adorn the left and right sides of the sanctuary |
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| A mausoleum and crypt is below the cathedral. |
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| The windows from the former Cathedral of St Francis de Sales. |
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| St Joseph the Betrothed and the Infant Jesus |
I left the cathedral inspired and renewed. Navdeep and I had brunch at a nearby restaurant. It was a lovely day!
Interesting Factoids of Christ the Light Cathedral
Architect: Craig W. Hartman, FAIA of Skidmore, Owens and Merrill offices in San Francisco
General Contractor: Webcor Builders
Year completed: 2008
Estimated cost: $172 million
Seats: 1350
Located at 2121 Harrison Street in Oakland, the cathedral serves as mother church of approximately 530,000 Catholics in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
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