Proto-cathedrals, Pro-cathedrals, Former Cathedrals and "Almost-Cathedrals"
In addition to the main cathedral, various dioceses also have other churches that have served or currently serve some of the roles of a cathedral.
A proto-cathedral is the first cathedral, a pro-cathedral serves as a cathedral in some cases, and a former cathedral is one that no longer exists or is being used as a parish church or for secular purposes. A further classification is a co-cathedral, a church which shares cathedral status equally with another church, of which there are none in California.
As "almost-cathedrals" we have created a non-ecclesiastical term for churches officially designated as cathedrals but never used as such (Mission San Diego and St. Patrick Church, Grass Valley).
Fresno
- Holy Trinity Church (Armenian, Etchmiadzin), served for a time as the cathedral for the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church [See related posts]
Grass Valley
- St. Patrick Church (Roman Catholic), officially designated the cathedral on the establishment of the short-lived Diocese of Grass Valley, but never used as one. [See related posts]
Oakland
- Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales (Roman Catholic). Demolished due to earthquake damage. [See related posts]
Los Angeles
- St. john Cathedral (Armenian) Now a parish church [See related posts]
- St. Paul's Cathedral (Episcopal). Demolished. [See related posts]
- Cathedral of St. Vibiana (Roman Catholic). Desanctified when earthquake repairs and renovations proved too costly and a decision was made to build a new cathedral. Today it is a performing arts and events venue. [See related posts]
- St. Vladimir Pro-cathedral (Ukrainian Orthodox)
Marysville
- St. Joseph Pro-cathedral (Roman Catholic), served the short-lived Diocese of Grass Valley [See related posts]
San Diego
- Mission San Diego de Alcalá (Roman Catholic), initially designated as the cathedral of the Diocese of Both Californias but never used as one. [See related posts]
San Francisco
- St. Francis Pro-cathedral (Roman Catholic), used until the construction of the first St. Mary's Cathedral. [See related posts]
- Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption (Roman Catholic). The second of three San Francisco Roman Catholic cathedrals named St. Mary's, destroyed by fire in 1962. [See related posts]
- Old Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic). Proto-cathedral of San Francisco, used as a parish church today and known popularly as "Old St. Mary's Cathedral." [See related posts]
- Old Holy Virgin Cathedral (Russian Orthodox, ROCOR)
San José
- St. Patrick Proto-cathedral (Roman Catholic). Today a parish church serving the Vietnamese community.
Santa Barbara
- Mission Santa Bárbara (Roman Catholic), used at times as a pro-cathedral [See related posts]