Guardian Angel: then and now

Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 | 3:21 a.m.

An evolution of Guardian Angel Cathedral from "History of the Guardian Angel Cathedral" compiled by church member Marie Feeney:

1961: Las Vegas resort owners and other local business leaders donate land and money to the Clerics of St. Viator, or Viatorian priests, to build a church near the Strip on Desert Inn Road.

1963: The Guardian Angel Shrine opens under the Rev. Patrick Toomey. The average weekly attendance for eight Sunday Masses and one daily Mass is 4,000.

1970: The Rev. Francis White is appointed pastor. (At age 85, he continues to work as a priest at the cathedral.)

1977: Bishop Norman McFarland designates the Guardian Angel Shrine as the co-cathedral for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas.

1979: The Rev. Eugene Mierzwinski is appointed first rector. Under his leadership the cathedral is remodeled with wood fixtures and new carpeting.

1984: The Rev. Edward Anderson is appointed second rector. Under his leadership 200 seats are added to the church to meet tourist growth.

1987: Bishop Daniel Walsh is installed as bishop of the Reno-Las Vegas Diocese.

1990: The Rev. Patrick Cahill is appointed third rector. Under his leadership, the Bali Hai Motel behind the cathedral is purchased and demolished and the chancery offices are built. Also, the Vatican approves Walsh's request to conduct 2:30 p.m. Saturday Masses at the cathedral for tourists.

1995: The Diocese of Reno/Las Vegas is split to create the Diocese of Las Vegas. A $1.3 million renovation of the cathedral begins, with marble installed in the sanctuary, floors and walls. New electrical, air conditioning and heating fixtures bring the building up to Clark County code. Landscaping is upgraded. Outside lighting and parking lot improvements also are made.

1996: The Rev. James Crilly becomes the fourth rector of the cathedral. He oversees the final stages of the renovation that includes new flooring in the gift shop and priests' vesting office. A new sound system is installed and Crilly expands the liturgical music ministry. A compact disc, "Rejoicing at the Cathedral" is recorded live, featuring 19 hymns. It sells for $15.

2001: Bishop Joseph Pepe is installed on May 31. The cathedral celebrates two daily Masses and eight weekend Masses and has weekly attendances ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 people.

2002: The 25th anniversary of Guardian Angel Cathedral is celebrated on Oct. 2.