Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales, Catholic cathedral ruins in Oakland, California
The Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales stood as a Gothic Revival structure with red brick walls, stained glass windows, and a prominent steeple until 1993.
Mary Canning, an Irish immigrant who earned wealth through real estate, donated $142,000 for the construction of the cathedral, completed in 1893.
The cathedral gained recognition in the 1970s for its musical program known as the Oakland Cathedral Sound, enhanced by the 1982 installation of a Schoenstein organ.
The Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 caused structural damage to the building, leading to its demolition in 1993 due to prohibitive repair costs.
The cathedral site transformed into affordable housing development after demolition, with the original cornerstone preserved at the new Cathedral of Christ the Light.
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