| Crystal Cathedral | |
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| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Reformed Church in America |
| Website | crystalcathedral.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Founder(s) | Robert H. Schuller |
| Dedicated | 1980 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Philip Johnson |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Sheila Schuller Coleman (interim) |
The Crystal Cathedral is a Protestant Christian megachurch in the city of Garden Grove, in Orange County, California, United States. The prominent architect Philip Johnson designed the main sanctuary building, which was constructed using over 10,000 rectangular panes of glass and its sanctuary seats 2,736 persons.[1] The rectangular panes of glass are not bolted to the structure; instead they are glued to it using a silicone-based glue. This and other measures are intended to allow the building to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.0.[1]
The name "Crystal Cathedral" is merely alliterative and does not mean it is a cathedral in the sense of being a church where one finds a bishop's official seat, or cathedra (the traditionally correct English language use of the term): the Reformed Church in America is governed by elders. The church is a Southern California architectural landmark.
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Affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, the church, then known as Garden Grove Community Church, was founded in 1955 by the Reverend Robert H. Schuller and his wife, Arvella.[2] The first church services were held in space rented from the Orange Drive-In Theatre. In 1961, the congregation moved to a new sanctuary designed by architect Richard Neutra.[2] In 1968, The Tower of Hope was completed, providing office and classroom space.[2] Continued growth led to the need for a new facility.[2] Schuller envisioned a unique facility with walls made of glass.[2] Noted architect Philip Johnson was commissioned by Schuller to put his dream into reality.[2][3] Construction on the Crystal Cathedral began in 1977 and was completed in 1980, built at a cost of $18 million.[2][3] Upon moving from the old Neutra sanctuary to the new Johnson sanctuary, the congregation changed its name to the Crystal Cathedral. In 1990 the Prayer Spire was completed.[4]
The Family Life Center was also added in 1990 and in 2003, the church campus was completed with the opening of the Richard Meier-designed Welcoming Center.[citation needed] The campus is noted as a Southern California landmark.[citation needed]
On Sunday, January 22, 2006, the church's founder, Robert H. Schuller, retired as the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. His son, Robert Anthony Schuller, was installed as the second senior pastor of the church and head of the Hour of Power TV program. On October 25, 2008, Robert H. Schuller announced the removal of his son Robert Anthony from the Hour of Power broadcast, citing "a lack of shared vision".[5] In a prepared statement, founder Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry."[6] It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Robert Anthony Schuller had resigned from his position as Senior Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Juan Carlos Ortiz was named as interim senior pastor while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.[7] Schuller also cites that "All the services will continue to be broadcast from the world-renowned Crystal Cathedral with our great tradition of the most beautiful church music in the world." [8]
The Crystal Cathedral is well known for the high quality of its music program and the eclectic variety of its musical guests. As of 2005, Dr. Marc Riley (orchestral composer and conductor), Sean Groombridge (organist) and Donald Neuen (choral conductor) lead the music department at the Crystal Cathedral. The live orchestra and choir appear weekly on the church's "The Hour of Power" broadcast and have made some CD and DVD recordings.
Early on December 16, 2004, 57-year old Johnnie Carl, the cathedral's orchestra conductor, fired several bullets in his office at the cathedral, shortly before the annual The Glory of Christmas program was about to begin. The shots were fired in the vacant concourse area and no one was injured. Carl, who suffered from bipolar disorder, ended up committing suicide. In his 29 years as Orchestra Director at the cathedral, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements in his service to the Crystal Cathedral.
The church's 273 rank, five manual pipe organ is one of the largest in the world.[9] Constructed by Fratelli Ruffatti and based on specifications by Virgil Fox and expanded by Frederick Swann, the instrument incorporates the large Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ built in 1962 for New York's Avery Fisher Hall, and the Ruffatti organ which had been installed in the church's previous sanctuary. Swann was organist at the Crystal Cathedral between 1982–1998.
The Crystal Cathedral broadcasts its church services around the world on a television show called The Hour of Power, said to be the most-watched Christian program worldwide, with an estimated average of 20 million viewers tuning in each week. The church provides facilities for those of a similar faith to congregate and offers campus services including support groups, Sunday school classes and daily Christian gatherings.
The Cathedral is renowned for featuring on a regular basis the testimonies of famous celebrities and ordinary people living extraordinary lives during the Hour of Power services. Notable guests have included former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former Vice President Al Gore, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, noted Catholic broadcaster Fulton J. Sheen, musician John Tesh, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez, pianist Roger Williams, internationally acclaimed flautist Sir James Galway, Christian singer Joy Williams, Backstreet Boys member and Christian singer Brian Littrell, Christian singer Natalie Grant, Christian rock band Sonicflood, American tenor Daniel Rodriguez, musical group The Oak Ridge Boys, Christian singer Sara Groves, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan; former tennis star Michael Chang, actors Kirk Douglas, Roy Rogers, Noah Gray-Cabey, and Denzel Washington, radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and MLB baseball player, Kirk Gibson.
"Softball player and baseball player Casey Daigle and Jennie Finch got married there on January 15th 2005"
Coordinates: 33°47′15″N 117°53′56″W / 33.787396°N 117.898933°W
Redirecting to Crystal Cathedral
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