- Crystal Cathedral Ministries
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Coordinates: 33°47′15″N 117°53′56″W / 33.787396°N 117.898933°W
Crystal Cathedral 
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 Style Modern architecture Clergy Senior pastor(s) Sheila Schuller Coleman Crystal Cathedral Ministries is a Protestant Christian church aligned with the Reformed Church in America and named for its church building, the Crystal Cathedral. The church was founded by Robert H. Schuller in 1955 as the Garden Grove Community Church, and changed its name to its present name when it moved into the Crystal Cathedral building in 1981.
On October 18, 2010, the board of the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in Santa Ana, California.[1][2] The church received numerous offers for the building, including from a real estate investment group[3] and from Chapman University,[4] both with the provision of being leased back to the church. On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced that it was "potentially interested in buying" the building "to meet the needs of the 1.2 million Catholics in Orange County."[5] Two weeks later, the diocese followed up with a cash offer of $53.6 million which included a lease-back provision at below market rates for a period of time.[6]
Contents
Origins and construction
Interior of the church in 2005
Garden Grove Community Church, completed in 1961Affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, the Garden Grove Community Church was founded in 1955 by Robert H. Schuller and his wife Arvella.[7] 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.[7] In 1968, The Tower of Hope was completed, providing office and classroom space.[7] Continued growth led to the need for a new facility.[7] Schuller envisioned a unique facility with walls made of glass and commissioned noted architect Philip Johnson to put his dream into reality.[7][8] Construction on the Crystal Cathedral began in 1977 and was completed in 1980, built at a cost of $18 million.[7][8] The signature rectangular panes of glass comprising the building are not bolted to the structure; 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.[9]
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.[10]
Ministers
On January 22, 2006, Schuller retired as the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. His son, Robert A. Schuller, was installed as the second senior pastor of the church and head of the Hour of Power TV program. On October 25, 2008, the elder Schuller announced the removal of his son from the Hour of Power broadcast, citing "a lack of shared vision."[11] In a prepared statement, 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."[12] It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Robert A. Schuller had resigned from his position as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Juan Carlos Ortiz was named as interim senior pastor while the search for a permanent replacement was conducted.[13] Robert H. Schuller stated in a press release, "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."[12] Sheila Schuller Coleman has now replaced her brother as the senior pastor. Sheila Schuller Coleman has vowed to continue the original vision of her father's ministry.
Music
From its beginnings until its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, the Crystal Cathedral was renowned for the quality of its music program and the eclectic variety of its musical guests. This was principally due to the efforts and vision of Arvella Schuller, wife of the founding pastor. Organist Fred Swann and orchestra director Johnnie Carl were commissioned by Arvella Schuller to create and maintain a strong musical voice for the Crystal Cathedral. Don Neuen was brought to the church as choir conductor in 1999. Neuen was asked by the founding pastor to create a world class choir on the level of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Early on December 16, 2004, 57-year-old Johnnie Carl, the church's orchestra conductor, fired several bullets in his office at the church 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 ended up committing suicide. In his 29 years as orchestra director, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements in his service to the Crystal Cathedral.[14]
After the death of Johnnie Carl, the leadership of the orchestra went to conductor and composer Marc Riley.
The traditional music program was maintained by choir conductor Don Neuen, organist Sean Groombridge and orchestra director Marc Riley until 2010.
Organ
Main article: Crystal Cathedral organThe church's 273 rank, five manual pipe organ is one of the largest in the world.[15] 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.
Prayer SpireHour of Power broadcast
Main article: Hour of PowerThe Crystal Cathedral broadcasts its church services around the world on a television show called the Hour of Power, said[who?] to be the most-watched Christian program worldwide, with an estimated average of 20 million viewers tuning in each week.[citation needed] 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 church regularly features the testimonies of prominent people during the Hour of Power services. Notable guests have included former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former Vice President Al Gore, former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, noted Catholic broadcaster Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, musician John Tesh, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez, pianist Roger Williams, flautist Sir James Galway, Christian singer Joy Williams, Backstreet Boys member and Christian singer Brian Littrell, Christian singer Natalie Grant, Christian rock band Sonicflood, singer Robert Sims, 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 Laura Schlessinger, and MLB baseball player Kirk Gibson.
2010 bankruptcy application
Beginning in 2010, creditors filed lawsuits to collect money due to them for providing goods, services and broadcasting The Hour of Power weekly TV show. A board member said that the total debt was $55 million.[16][17] The church's board filed for bankruptcy on October 18, 2010, citing $43 million in debt including a $36 million mortgage and $7.5 million in other debt. Church officials said that they had been trying to negotiate payments but after several suits were filed and writs of attachment were granted the church had to declare bankruptcy.[18] The church has received offers for the building from a real estate investment group[3] and from Chapman University,[4] both with the provision of being leased back to the church.
On July 7, 2011, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced that it was “potentially interested” in buying the church building.[19]
On November 17, 2011, a federal judge approved selling the Crystal Cathedral to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.[20]
References
- ^ Wahba, Phil (October 18, 2010). "Televangelist Schuller's megachurch files for Ch 11". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69I0FM20101019.
- ^ "Crystal Cathedral megachurch files for bankruptcy". The Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSeHmXmySFtfRxeCLjpDw8L2TJ4A?docId=7d2a0522c4b042a5af6994153721ad69.
- ^ a b Bharath, Deepa (May 26, 2011). "Crystal Cathedral to be sold to pay millions in debt". The Orange County Register. http://www.ocregister.com/news/church-302205-cathedral-creditors.html. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Bharath, Deepa (July 5, 2011). "Chapman offers $46 million for Crystal Cathedral". The Orange County Register. http://www.ocregister.com/news/university-307026-chapman-proposal.html. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ "Southern California diocese considers buying Crystal Cathedral". Catholic News Agency. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/southern-california-diocese-considers-buying-crystal-cathedral/.
- ^ Diocese of Orange website: Formal Bid
- ^ a b c d e f "History – 1955 to Today". Crystal Cathedral Ministries. 2009. http://www.crystalcathedral.org/about/history.php. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ a b Lindsey, Robert (May 15, 1980). "Opening of Glass Cathedral Is a Feast for Eyes and Ears". The New York Times: p. A20. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=3&res=F30F14F6385C12728DDDAC0994DD405B8084F1D3. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ^ "About the Architecture". Crystal Cathedral. http://www.crystalcathedral.org/about/architecture.php. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
- ^ Architecture
- ^ "'Hour of Power' Preacher Removed by Father". FOXNews.com. 2008-10-26. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444085,00.html. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
- ^ a b Robert H. Schuller (October 26, 2008). "America’s Television Church ― The Church of Tomorrow" (Press release). Crystal Cathedral Ministries. http://www.crystalcathedral.org/events_news/media/press_releases/press_102608.php. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ "Robert Anthony Schuller Steps Down as Senior Pastor of Crystal Cathedral Congregation" (Press release). November 29, 2008. http://www.crystalcathedral.org/events_news/media/press_releases/press_112908b.php. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ^ "Orchestra conductor at Crystal Cathedral kills self after standoff". Associated Press. December 17, 2004. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-12-17-cathedral-gunman_x.htm. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "The World's Largest Pipe Organs". Atlas Communications. http://www.atlascom.us/bigpipes.htm. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "Crystal Cathedral Owes $7.5M To Small Business Owners " CBS Los Angeles- News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of LA". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2010/10/16/crystal-cathedral-owes-7-5m-to-small-business-owners/. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ http://www.ocregister.com/news/church-271343-cathedral-creditors.html
- ^ "Crystal Cathedral megachurch files for bankruptcy - Yahoo! News". News.yahoo.com. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101018/ap_on_re_us/us_crystal_cathedral. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
- ^ "Southern California considers buying Crystal Cathedral". Catholicnewsagency.com. 2011-07-08. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/southern-california-diocese-considers-buying-crystal-cathedral/. Retrieved 2011-07-08.
- ^ "Judge approves Crystal Cathedral sale to diocese". seattletimes.nwsource.com. 2011-11-17. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016792063_apuscrystalcathedral.html. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
External links
People Music Architects Richard Neutra (Garden Grove Community Church) · Philip Johnson (Crystal Cathedral) · Richard Meier (Welcoming Center)Related articles Categories:- Megachurches
- Presbyterian churches in California
- California culture
- Garden Grove, California
- Religion in Orange County, California
- Churches in Orange County, California
- Philip Johnson buildings
- Postmodern architecture in California
- Futurist architecture
- Religious organizations established in 1955
- Reformed Church in America churches
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