Joshua Bennett
The Crystal Cathedral, a glass-paned church in Garden Grove, California, was a monument to televangelism and the home of the famous Hour of Power broadcasts. It was founded by the televangelist Robert Schuller in 1995 and became known for its upbeat sermons and positive thinking message. However, due to financial troubles and bankruptcy, the Crystal Cathedral Ministries sold the building and its campus to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2011 for $57 million. The diocese, needing a cathedral, saw it as a cost-effective opportunity to acquire an iconic location. The Crystal Cathedral was then renovated and repurposed for Catholic liturgy, and in 2019, it reopened as the Christ Cathedral, serving as the spiritual center for 1.6 million Catholics in the diocese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden Grove, California |
| Year of purchase | 2011 |
| Year of consecration as Christ Cathedral | 2019 |
| Purchase price | $57 million |
| Renovation cost | $77 million |
| Previous owner | Crystal Cathedral Ministries |
| Previous religion | Protestant |
| New owner | Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange |
| New religion | Catholic |
| Architect | Philip Johnson |
| Previous pastor | Robert H. Schuller |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Crystal Cathedral was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for \$57 million
- The Crystal Cathedral was a beacon of Protestant televangelism
- The Catholic Church doesn't usually buy second-hand churches
- The Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy protection
- The Crystal Cathedral was renamed Christ Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for \$57 million
The Crystal Cathedral, a monument to televangelism, was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for \$57 million in 2012. The cathedral was originally built by the architect Philip Johnson and became famous for its televised 'Hour of Power' services, led by Robert Schuller.
The decision to sell the cathedral to the Catholic Church left some congregants furious and upset about their future. The Crystal Cathedral Ministries sold the building and its adjacent campus due to a messy bankruptcy. The ministry had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2010 to restructure its debt. The ministry had also received several lawsuits and writs of attachment, which forced them to file for bankruptcy.
The diocese needed a cathedral, and the Crystal Cathedral was an attractive option due to its iconic location and lower cost compared to building a new cathedral. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange purchased the 40-acre property, which included a towering glass building, and renamed it Christ Cathedral. The acquisition and renovation of the glass church stood out, as the Catholic Church typically does not buy hand-me-down churches. The diocese spent \$77 million on renovations to convert the space for Catholic liturgy, maintaining the iconic personality of its architecture.
The newly remodeled Christ Cathedral hosted its first Mass in 2019 and became the spiritual center for 1.6 million Catholics in the diocese. The renovation included the installation of 11,000 sail-shaped quatrefoil window shades and a Carrara marble altar from Italy. The transformation aimed to reorient the space to focus on Christ's sacrifice of the Eucharist, presenting a challenge in converting a building known for its upbeat sermons and positive thinking.
Catholics and the LGBTQ Community: Allies or Enemies?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Crystal Cathedral was a beacon of Protestant televangelism
The Crystal Cathedral, a towering glass megachurch, was built by Robert Schuller in 1980 on 40 acres in Garden Grove, California, at a cost of $18 million. Schuller, known for his flamboyant purple vestments, referred to the 78,000-square-foot cathedral as a “shopping center for God.” The Crystal Cathedral became a beacon of Protestant televangelism as the home of the “Hour of Power” TV program, which was once the most popular religious television program in the nation. In its heyday, the program drew about 7.5 million American television viewers weekly and was watched in 156 countries.
The megachurch was purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012 for $57 million, thanks to a messy bankruptcy. The diocese described itself as the fastest-growing diocese in the nation. The Catholic Church doesn't generally buy hand-me-down churches, but the diocese needed a cathedral, and the Crystal Cathedral was an incredible location that would serve its needs well and cost less than building a new cathedral. The building was renamed Christ Cathedral, and the diocese acquired the entire architecturally significant campus, including buildings by Richard Neutra and Richard Meier.
The renovation of the Crystal Cathedral cost $44 million, $77 million, or somewhere in between, depending on the source. The diocese made significant changes to the interior of the building while reconditioning the mirror-like exterior. The renovation included the installation of 11,000 sail-shaped quatrefoil window shades that also help with acoustics and the addition of a Carrara marble altar from Italy. A 1,000-pound crucifix forged from blackened steel and encrusted with jewels is the centerpiece of the renovated sanctuary, which seats nearly 3,000 people.
The sale of the Crystal Cathedral left some congregants furious, and it was not clear what would happen to the congregation. Coleman, the pastor, said they could stay in the building for up to three years, and she held out hope for a miracle. The unorthodox pairing of the glitzy, New Age cathedral with the Catholic Church, a faith rooted in tradition, provoked questions about whether the building could be a fitting home for the Catholic faith.
Pushing Physical Boundaries Before Catholic Marriage
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Catholic Church doesn't usually buy second-hand churches
The Crystal Cathedral, a glass-paned church in California, was a monument to televangelism and the home of the famous "`Hour of Power`" broadcasts. It was founded by television evangelist Robert H. Schuller in 1995 and became associated with his upbeat sermons and flamboyant purple vestments. However, in 2010, the church started facing financial troubles and eventually filed for bankruptcy.
The Catholic Church typically does not purchase second-hand churches, but the Crystal Cathedral presented a unique opportunity. The Diocese of Orange had been searching for a new cathedral as it had outgrown the Holy Family Cathedral. Initially, the diocese planned to purchase land in Santa Ana and construct a new cathedral. However, they soon realized that it would be more cost-effective to acquire and renovate an existing property. The Crystal Cathedral and its 40-acre campus became available, and despite its unorthodox design, the diocese saw potential in repurposing it for Catholic liturgy.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange purchased the Crystal Cathedral for $57 million in 2011 (some sources state the sale was finalized in 2012). The sale was approved by a bankruptcy court judge, and the building was renamed Christ Cathedral. The diocese spent millions on renovations to convert the space, including the installation of window shades, a marble altar from Italy, and a jewel-encrusted crucifix. The newly remodeled Christ Cathedral hosted its first Mass in 2019 and became the spiritual center for 1.6 million Catholics in the diocese.
The conversion of the Crystal Cathedral into a Catholic church was not without controversy. Some questioned whether the glitzy, New Age building could be a fitting home for a faith rooted in tradition. The interior designs of the cathedral, with their "trippy futurism," also sparked debates about their suitability for Catholic liturgy. However, supporters of the conversion pointed out that the Catholic Church had successfully converted other unconventional spaces into places of worship, such as the Pantheon in Rome.
Jerusalem Cross: A Catholic Symbol Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy protection
In the lead-up to the bankruptcy filing, the ministry cut costs by reducing its airtime on domestic stations and selling its Rancho Capistrano retreat property. Despite these efforts, the ministry remained in significant debt, and its attempts to negotiate a payment plan with creditors were unsuccessful. The ministry's well-known "Glory of Easter" and Christmas pageant productions were also cancelled, signalling the financial troubles of the ministry.
After the bankruptcy filing, the Crystal Cathedral Ministries received offers for the Crystal Cathedral campus from a real estate investment group and Chapman University. The ministry's board originally planned to accept Chapman University's higher offer but instead sold the property to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for $57 million in 2012. The diocese had been searching for a new cathedral, as it had outgrown the Holy Family Cathedral, and the Crystal Cathedral provided a cost-effective and iconic alternative.
The sale of the Crystal Cathedral was finalized on February 3, 2012, and the diocese began renovations to transform the space into a Catholic Church. The diocese renamed the building Christ Cathedral and acquired the entire architecturally significant campus. The Crystal Cathedral Ministries held its final worship service at the Crystal Cathedral on June 30, 2013, and moved to a new facility in Irvine, California, in 2018.
Who Are Catholics? Brothers and Sisters in Christ?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Crystal Cathedral was renamed Christ Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral, a towering glass megachurch in Garden Grove, California, was purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012 for $57 million. The megachurch was founded by television evangelist Robert H. Schuller in 1995. However, it filed for bankruptcy in October 2010, and the founder's son, Robert A. Schuller, took over the church. The younger Schuller was forced out, in part, by family members who disagreed with his leadership. The Crystal Cathedral was then renamed Christ Cathedral.
The Catholic Church doesn't generally buy second-hand churches. The Crystal Cathedral was a beacon of Protestant televangelism and home to the Hour of Power broadcasts, which were once the most popular religious television programs in the nation. The decision to sell the cathedral to the Catholic Church left some congregants furious. The Crystal Cathedral Ministries held its final worship service at the Crystal Cathedral on June 30, 2013.
The Diocese of Orange spent around $77 million renovating the iconic building, which was designed by modernist architect Philip Johnson and opened in 1980. The diocese acquired the entire architecturally significant campus, including buildings by Richard Neutra and Richard Meier. The renovation included the installation of 11,000 sail-shaped quatrefoil window shades and a Carrara marble altar from Italy. The building was consecrated as Christ Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Orange, on July 17, 2019. Masses are officiated in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
The renaming of the cathedral was not without controversy. Some critics questioned whether the glitzy, New Age building could be a fitting home for a faith rooted in tradition. The interior of the cathedral was redesigned to follow a long axis, giving a sense of procession and reorienting the main focus on Christ's sacrifice of the Eucharist. The exterior design could not be changed, so it still reflects the original intent of Schuller.
Catholic Charities: Home Repairs Aid for Families
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange bought the Crystal Cathedral in 2011 for $57 million.
The Catholic Diocese of Orange needed a cathedral and found that it would be more cost-effective to renovate and repurpose the Crystal Cathedral than to build a new one.
The Crystal Cathedral was a megachurch founded by television evangelist Robert H. Schuller in 1995. It was known for its Hour of Power broadcasts, which were watched by tens of millions in 156 countries in its heyday.
The Catholic Church spent $77 million on renovations to convert the space for Catholic liturgy. The building was also renamed Christ Cathedral.
![The Ethereal Mirror [LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81HZPnQsxOL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
