The Cathedral Center of Christ the Light

The heart of the Diocese is its Cathedral Church. But often overlooked as Cathedral construction continues are the component parts of the rest of the Cathedral Center – the arms and legs that will ultimately fulfill the Diocesan mission of liturgy, education and service.

Mausoleum of Christ the Light Cathedral

The Cathedral’s mausoleum is located at the lower level beneath the church. The mausoleum design somewhat mirrors the footprint of the cathedral above. Operated by the Catholic Cemeteries division of the Diocese, the mausoleum will have approximately 1,300 spaces for crypts and 1,450 niches for cremated remains. There are also 12 crypts reserved for the past, present and future Bishops of Oakland.

The first Bishop of Oakland, the Most Reverend Floyd Begin, will be re-interred in the mausoleum at a special service after the Cathedral is dedicated in 2008.

Cathedral Parish of Christ the Light

The Cathedral Center houses a parish as well as a Diocesan center of worship. Parish offices and a parish hall are located at the lower level beneath the Cathedral Church, at the corners of Grand and Harrison Streets.

Parishioners from the former churches of St. Mary/St. Francis de Sales/St. Andrew/St. Joseph join together to form the Cathedral Parish. In their new home they will welcome countless new parishioners who move into the Lake Merritt neighborhood as residential development continues at a rapid pace.

Conference Center

Vital to the teaching and service mission of the Diocese, the conference center will be a full-service facility, open to all diocesan entities and parishes, as well as to the community at large. It is located on the ground level, adjacent to the Chancery and Parish Offices and includes large and small dining and meeting spaces.

Chancery Offices

The Cathedral Center now enables Diocesan administrative staff to work together under one roof. The social services, liturgical and educational departments of the Diocese are all housed within this space, including the offices of the Bishop’s Curia.

Rectory and Residence

The Bishop and priests who are responsible for the parish and the Cathedral have their residences within the Cathedral Center.

Public Plaza and Garden

Much of the Plaza Level of the Cathedral Center will be beautifully landscaped, public space for the community, neighbors and visitors to enjoy. The plaza is an extension of 22nd Street and its mall will create a public thoroughfare from downtown Oakland to Lake Merritt.

Café and Bookstore

These retail spaces on the Plaza Level welcome all to the Cathedral Center of Christ the Light.