Cathedral Chapel Parish will hold its 95th Anniversary and Christmas Fundraiser Gala on Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Wilshire Country Club, 301 N. Rossmore Ave. The gala includes music, dancing and a raffle. Cathedral Chapel School principal Tina Kipp will be honored with the Parish Lifetime Achievement Award. Kipp has dedicated 50 years of life to Catholic education, serving as principal of Cathedral Chapel School since 2003. On Sept. 3, 2017, Kipp was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice on behalf of Pope Francis for her tireless commitment to the Catholic Church. Known as the “Cross of Honor,” it is the highest medal awarded to lay people by the Papacy.

For the 2022-23 school year, Kipp is serving as co-principal with her successor, Donielle Mitchell. Kipp will retire in June 2023 and Mitchell will become principal of Cathedral Chapel School.

Prior to her administrative role, Mitchell served as the junior high math and science teacher, as well as the vice principal, of Cathedral Chapel School. She has an extensive background in science and education.

On Dec. 25, Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana will celebrate its 95th year of faith, education and service to the community, with its newly installed pastor, Father Doan Pham. He follows only four pastors at the church with long tenures: Monsignor James Dolan (1938-71), Father Earl Walker (1972-98), Father Charles Schwehr (1998-2007), and Father Truc Nguyen (2007-22).

Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana has a long history. The parish was built in 1927 and has undergone four major renovations. In 1935, the city extended La Brea Avenue and the church was gently lowered to its present level. Another notable earlier renovation was a modernization of the interior, starting with a new wood carved design from Italy over the main altar. The pews were removed and replaced with light colored oak benches and kneelers.

Since the church was established, members of the parish have continued to enrich and beautify it with many artistic symbols not always noticed by visitors. The painting of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is now housed in the Rectory, is by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The south side of the church has a beautiful mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help imported from Italy. The pipe organ was considered one of the finest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the stained-glass windows were designed and created by the late artist Isabel Piczek. Among the most recent acquisition were the 12 Stations of the Cross from St. John Vianney Chapel at the former Daniel Murphy High School on Third Street.

Tickets to Cathedral Chapel’s 95th Anniversary and Christmas Fundraiser Gala are $95. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by cocktails and dinner at 6:45 p.m. The top raffle prize is a travel certificate to Chile/Patagonia in November 2023, donated by Karla Mazariego, of LatinEscapes. For information, visit cathedralchapel.org/2022 christmas.