Guardian Angel Cathedral

St. Viator Church was built on the site of the former city dump in 1955. The ground proved to be unstable and the church was condemned and torn down six months after it opened. The Rev. Richard Crowley, CSV, now churchless, approached Moe Dalitz to donate land on the Las Vegas Strip. Although Jewish, Dalitz liked the idea of having a church convenient for his casino workers. He donated land near the Desert Inn in 1961. Dalitz was familiar with the work of Los Angeles architect Paul R. Williams and approached him to design the new church. Guardian Angel Shrine was opened on October 2, 1963. In 1977 Bishop Norman McFarland of the recently re-designated Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas chose the shrine as the co-cathedral. The diocese was divided in 1995 and the Diocese of Las Vegas was established. Guardian Angel retained its status as a cathedral. The cathedral was renovated for $1.3 million in 1995. ==Architecture==

Architect Paul R. Williams used an A-frame design for the church structure. They are located in 12 triangular niches that bisect the A-frame. A large crucifix is suspended from the ceiling above the altar and in front of the chancel mural. There is seating for 1,100 people in the cathedral. The pews on the main floor are divided into four sections across the nave, and a deep gallery above the main entrance. The Blessed Sacrament is housed in a chapel to the right of the altar, and the Lady chapel is located on the opposite side of the cathedral. == In popular culture ==

The church is featured in the music video for the song "Boots" by Las Vegas native rock band the Killers, in which the main character of the video goes to pray inside the church. == Gallery ==

File:Guardian Angel Cathedral - Las Vegas 02.JPG|Exterior detail File:Guardian Angel Cathedral - Las Vegas 01.JPG|Exterior detail File:Guardian Angel Cathedral interior - Las Vegas 18.jpg|View up the nave to the sanctuary File:Guardian Angel Cathedral interior - Las Vegas 15.JPG|Rear gallery File:Guardian Angel Cathedral interior - Las Vegas 02.JPG|Detail of Chancel mural: The Final Beginning File:Guardian Angel Cathedral interior - Las Vegas 09.JPG|Stained glass window: Station 14 ==See also==