About Cathedral of Christ the Light · Oakland, California
The Cathedral of Christ the Light is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, serving approximately 530,000 Catholics across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Located at 2121 Harrison Street in downtown Oakland, California, the cathedral was the first Catholic cathedral built entirely in the 21st century and replaced the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, which was irreparably damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Designed by Craig W. Hartman of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the striking vesica piscis-shaped building is celebrated for its innovative use of glass, glue-laminated Douglas fir timber, steel, and concrete, and is engineered to withstand major seismic events. It is home to a multilingual worshipping community (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese) and to the Order of Malta Northern California Health Clinic, the Pope Francis Legal Clinic, the diocesan chancery, a mausoleum, and St. Leo the Great School.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- Christ the Light
- Rector
- Very Rev. Fr. Erick Villa (Rector)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
The Cathedral of Christ the Light is a vibrant, multilingual Catholic community in the heart of downtown Oakland, offering Masses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese every Sunday, daily weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a robust schedule of Confessions. Beyond worship, the cathedral serves as the spiritual and charitable hub of the East Bay diocese, housing the free Order of Malta Northern California Health Clinic for the uninsured, the Pope Francis Legal Clinic offering free legal counsel, the diocesan chancery, and St. Leo the Great School as its official parish school. Visitors are welcomed into an iconic building recognized for its award-winning architecture, seismic resilience, and flood of natural light — a fitting setting for the cathedral's call to hospitality, social justice, and unity across cultures.
Mass times at Cathedral of Christ the Light
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 10:20 AM to 10:50 AM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 12:30 PM (following 12:10 PM Mass) to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (2nd Tuesday Holy Hour)
About the Cathedral of Christ the Light
The Cathedral of Christ the Light is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, serving roughly 530,000 Catholics across Alameda and Contra Costa counties from its striking home in downtown Oakland. Designed by Craig W. Hartman of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and dedicated in 2008, the cathedral replaced the old Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, which was destroyed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The cathedral complex is a true center of Catholic life in the East Bay, combining the church itself, the diocesan chancery, a conference and event center, the rectory, a mausoleum, two free clinics, City Lights Cafe, the Cathedral Shop, and St. Leo the Great School — all unified by gardens designed by Peter Walker and Partners.
- Mother church of the Diocese of Oakland
- Covers Alameda and Contra Costa counties (~530,000 Catholics)
- Replaces Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales (damaged 1989)
- Award-winning architecture by Craig W. Hartman, SOM
History
The cathedral's history begins with the loss of its predecessor. The original Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales — parish founded 1886, church built 1891, elevated to cathedral in 1962 — suffered irreparable structural damage in the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and was demolished in 1993. The diocese worshipped for nearly fifteen years at a temporary cathedral on Broadway while planning a permanent replacement. Under Bishop John Stephen Cummins, the Catholic Cathedral Corporation of the East Bay held an international design competition, won by Santiago Calatrava. Once a downtown Oakland site at Harrison and Grand was selected, Calatrava's design was dropped in favor of runner-up Craig W. Hartman of SOM. The Oakland Planning Commission unanimously approved the design in 2004, construction began in spring 2005, and Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron dedicated the finished cathedral on September 25, 2008. Two months later, the mausoleum was dedicated and the first Bishop of Oakland, Floyd Lawrence Begin, was reinterred in one of its bishops' crypts.
- 1886 — Parish of St. Francis de Sales founded
- 1891 — Original cathedral built; 1962 — elevated to cathedral
- 1989 — Loma Prieta earthquake damages cathedral beyond repair
- 1993 — Old cathedral demolished
- 2000 — International design competition launched under Bishop Cummins
- 2004 — Design by Craig W. Hartman / SOM unanimously approved
- May 21, 2005 — Construction begins (Webcor Builders)
- September 25, 2008 — Cathedral consecrated and dedicated by Bishop Vigneron
- November 2, 2008 — Mausoleum dedicated; Bishop Floyd Begin reinterred
- 2013 — Bishop Michael C. Barber, S.J., installed as Bishop of Oakland
Architecture & Design
The cathedral is a landmark of 21st-century sacred architecture. Its vesica piscis (intersecting-circles) floor plan, soaring glass-and-timber walls that evoke the scales of a fish, and bishop's-mitre silhouette have made it instantly recognizable. The sanctuary seats about 1,350 people beneath a 120-foot oculus roof; a 58-foot omega window of pierced aluminum — modeled on the Royal Portal of Chartres Cathedral — depicts Christ. Materials include glue-laminated Douglas fir, architecturally exposed reinforced concrete (made with coal-fly-ash industrial waste), high-strength steel tension rods, aluminum, and glass frit. The building is engineered for a 300-year service life on 36 steel double-concave friction pendulum base isolators, vital given its proximity to the Hayward Fault. With daylight as the primary light source and ancient Roman thermal-inertia climate control, the cathedral is also one of the most sustainable houses of worship in the country.
- Architect: Craig W. Hartman, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- Executive Architect: Kendall/Heaton Associates
- General Contractor: Webcor Builders
- Landscape Architect: Peter Walker and Partners
- Capacity: ~1,350 (some sources cite 1,800)
- Materials: Douglas fir timber, glass frit, steel, aluminum, fly-ash concrete
- Base isolation: 36 steel double-concave friction pendulum bearings
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The Cathedral's Faith Formation office, under Sacramental Preparation Coordinator Peggy Murray, walks children, teens, and adults through the sacraments of initiation. Children's First Confession and First Communion classes, a two-year teen Confirmation program (typically for freshmen and sophomores), and an annual RCIA cohort for adults who are unbaptized, baptized-Catholic-needing-Communion-or-Confirmation, or received from another Christian tradition. Adult confirmations for 2026 are scheduled for April 12, 18, and 25.
- First Communion / First Confession — annual children's program
- Confirmation — two-year high-school program
- Adult Sacraments (RCIA) — reception at Easter Vigil (April 4, 2026)
- Contact: [email protected]
Baptism at the Cathedral
The Cathedral offers infant baptism for children up to age 6, with required preparation classes for parents and godparents, and a requested donation of $100. At least one parent must be a baptized Roman Catholic; godparents must be at least 16, fully initiated Catholics, and (if married) in a sacramentally valid marriage. Youth ages 7–17 and adults prepare through the regular sacramental-formation tracks rather than infant baptism.
- Eligibility: child age 6 or younger, not previously baptized
- Preparation class for parents and godparents
- Requested donation: $100
- Register via the parish website
Marriage
The Cathedral welcomes couples seeking a Catholic wedding. Weddings are typically scheduled Saturdays at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM with a three-hour time period, and the parish strongly encourages beginning the process at least six months in advance. Preparation includes the 'Encounters for the Engaged' (E4E) discipleship group, a diocesan-approved marriage-preparation class, and submission of a wedding information form. Fees are $3,000 for registered/active parishioners and $3,500 for non-parishioners, covering E4E, liturgical ministers, a cantor, an organist, and a wedding coordinator; no parishioner is ever turned away for inability to pay. Rehearsal dinners and receptions can be hosted at the Cathedral Event Center (510-496-7233).
- Wedding times: Saturday 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM
- Fee: $3,000 parishioners / $3,500 non-parishioners
- Process begins 6+ months before desired date
- Encounters for the Engaged (E4E) program
- Cathedral Event Center available for receptions
St. Leo the Great School
St. Leo the Great School, located at 4238 Howe Street in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood, is the official parish school of the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Founded in 1948 under the direction of Father Lacey, the school was first staffed by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, who served until 1989. Today it serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade (about 235 students, average class size 22, tuition ~$10,463/year), open to families of any faith who accept its philosophy. The school supports learners with mild learning differences and dyslexia, maintains 1:1 Chromebooks, and runs active parent and parish-school organizations. Its mission emphasizes Catholic, cultural, and physical values, character formation, and a safe, supportive environment. The Cathedral community actively supports the school — including a recent Follett Titlewish Literacy Campaign to build a digital library.
- Address: 4238 Howe Street, Oakland, CA 94611
- Phone: (510) 654-7828
- Email: [email protected]
- Founded 1948 by Father Lacey; staffed by Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters until 1989
- Grades Pre-K–8; ~235 students; ~$10,463/year tuition
- Current principal: Sonya Simril
- Parish office administered by Cathedral parish staff
Cathedral Center Ministries & Outreach
Beyond its parish and school, the Cathedral Center hosts two remarkable free-service ministries for the wider community. The Order of Malta Northern California Health Clinic (founded 2008) provides free on-site preventive and diagnostic care for uninsured and low-income patients — at a time when the average faith-based clinic closes within 2½ years. The Pope Francis Legal Clinic offers free legal consultations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, providing not just legal strategy but a spirit of mercy and reconciliation. Both clinics reflect the cathedral's commitment to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
- Order of Malta Northern California Health Clinic — free medical care for uninsured patients
- Pope Francis Legal Clinic — free legal consultations Tue & Thu 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (510-496-7201)
- City Lights Cafe
- Cathedral Shop
- Public plaza and Peter Walker gardens
Multicultural Community & Chautauqua
The Cathedral of Christ the Light is a microcosm of the East Bay's Catholic diversity, with regular Masses and ongoing pastoral communities in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Each year the cathedral hosts Chautauqua, the diocese's signature multicultural celebration featuring a parade of nations, Mass, Marian devotion, ethnic cuisine, and cultural performances organized by the diocesan Ethnic Pastoral and Cultural Centers.
- Vietnamese, Spanish, and English Masses
- Annual Chautauqua multicultural celebration
- Ethnic Pastoral and Cultural Centers of the Diocese of Oakland
Clergy & Staff
The Cathedral is led by Rector Very Rev. Fr. Erick Villa, with parochial vicars Rev. Fr. Stephen Barber, S.J., Rev. Fr. Thomas Aquinas Thien An Tran, O.P., Rev. Fr. Javier Diaz Diaz, S.J., and Rev. Fr. Dennis McManus. Deacons include Rev. Mr. Tony Santos and Rev. Mr. Paul Turek. The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J., serves as Bishop of Oakland. Liturgical and music staff include Director of Music Dr. Jeffrey Parola, Organist John Renke, and Master of Ceremonies Ethan Ponce. The Faith Formation team is led by Sacramental Preparation Coordinator Peggy Murray. Operations and business staff include Director of Cathedral Center Operations and Logistics Greg Thibodeaux, Parish Business Manager Mark Diamond, Communications Specialist Carmela Ongtengco, Parish Office Manager Melissa Vlach, and Parish Office Assistants Mar (Ruvalcaba) and Maria Ramirez. Principal of St. Leo the Great School is Sonya Simril.
- Rector: Very Rev. Fr. Erick Villa
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Stephen Barber, S.J.; Fr. Thomas Aquinas Thien An Tran, O.P.; Fr. Javier Diaz Diaz, S.J.; Fr. Dennis McManus
- Deacons: Tony Santos, Paul Turek
- Bishop of Oakland: Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, S.J.
- Director of Music: Dr. Jeffrey Parola
- Organist: John Renke
- Master of Ceremonies: Ethan Ponce
- Sacramental Preparation Coordinator: Peggy Murray
- St. Leo the Great Principal: Sonya Simril
Visiting Hours & Things to See
The Cathedral welcomes visitors throughout the week. The Parish Office on Level 1 (L1) is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and is accessed through the main Cathedral doors or the parking garage elevators. Highlights for visitors include the soaring 120-foot oculus roof, the 58-foot omega window with its pierced-aluminum depiction of Christ, the vesica piscis geometry of the sanctuary, the light-filled interior clad in Douglas fir and glass, the surrounding Peter Walker gardens and plaza, the mausoleum with its 12 bishops' crypts, and a stop at the on-site City Lights Cafe and Cathedral Shop.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- 120-foot oculus roof
- 58-foot omega window (Chartres-inspired Christ figure)
- Peter Walker gardens and public plaza
- Mausoleum with 12 bishops' crypts
- City Lights Cafe and Cathedral Shop on site
Events, Concerts & Pilgrimages
Beyond the regular liturgical calendar, the Cathedral hosts special events throughout the year, including concerts, iconography workshops, summer speakers, and the annual Chautauqua multicultural celebration. The 'Sacred Voices Concert' with Vatican Singers is a featured event, and seasonal offerings include Corpus Christi trilingual Masses, Advent and Christmas liturgies, Lenten observances, and Quinceañera celebrations.
- Sacred Voices Concert with Vatican Singers
- Iconography workshop (August 3–8)
- Summer Speakers series
- Annual Chautauqua multicultural celebration
- Trilingual Corpus Christi Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jay Matthews
Late Rector and Dean of the Cathedral of Christ the Light; first African-American ordained to the priesthood in Northern California (1974); previously pastor of St. Benedict's in Oakland for 25 years; appointed by Bishop Barber to enhance hospitality and welcome; passed away at age 70.
- Very Rev. Fr. Erick Villa
Current Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the Light.
