The dedication of the historic transformation of Crystal Cathedral to Christ Cathedral
Many of us remember when the Crystal Cathedral was completed in 1980 and how awed we were by the megachurch’s stunning glass cathedral, touted at the time to be the largest glass building in the world. The dream of Protestant televangelist Robert Schuller, its holiday pageants were legendary with the Three Wise Men making their entrance riding on camels and live angels soaring above in the high recesses of the cathedral for the Glory of Christmas pageant. Bought out of bankruptcy for $57.5million by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012, the campus has emerged, after years of repairs, renovation and restoration, as a beacon of faith and hope under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Most Reverend Kevin Vann was appointed the fourth Bishop of Orange in 2012, soon after the Diocese of Orange acquired the property. He puts the soon-to-open Christ Cathedral in perspective:
“The legacy of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, the peaceful grounds and stunning buildings designed by world-renowned architects on 34 beautiful acres, gives us a great sense of God’s presence here in all we do. Our vision is to continue to make our Christ Cathedral campus the spiritual center of Southern California.”
Bishop Vann credits meeting Tim and Susan Strader when he was newly-installed with making his transition so seamless.
“I believe that it is what I call ‘God’s Providence’ that has brought the Straders and us all together on this historical and great project,” Vann says.
The Straders, members of the Diocese of Orange since 1970, are chairs of the
Christ Cathedral Task Force, along with what they call “a stellar committee,” to raise funds for the project. They are also chairing, with Jacqueline DuPont and Marc Carlson, the opening celebration, “A Historic Celebration of Faith.” The Straders, who are a fundraising team, have partnered for many worthy causes in the area and view this project with particular love.
“It is so fulfilling to bring people together and eventually see a project flower and make an impact on our world,” Susan says, as Tim speaks for both, saying,“Bishop Vann has brought the dream of a new Catholic cathedral to reality through his incredible leadership and devotion.”
The Very Rev. Christopher Smith, episcopal vicar and rector of Christ Cathedral, is overseeing the all-encompassing transition and is chair of the Dedication Planning Committee. Currently, there are 12 Masses in four languages every Saturday and Sunday in the campus Arboretum, which has undergone an extensive renovation while maintaining acclaimed Richard Neutra’s original design, but that the number of Masses will decrease once they are moved to the 2,200-seat cathedral. With 1.3 million Catholics in Orange County, the Diocese has 57 parishes, including the 10,000-member Christ Cathedral Parish.
Work has been completed on the famed architect Philip Johnson-designed 236-foot stainless steel mirrored spire called Crean Tower, as work continues on its 52-bell Carillon. The Neutra-designed 13-story Tower of Hope, with its 90-foot neon cross on the roof, has received a comprehensive seismic upgrade. Named for the nation’s first 24-hour intervention hotline in a church, the New Hope Crisis Counseling Center was established in 1968 by Schuller’s wife Arvella. Its ministry continues today operated by Catholic Charities. The tower also includes the Chapel in the Sky, an intimate Ecumenical chapel featuring breathtaking panoramic views of Orange County, as well as the newly renovated offices of the Cathedral Parish and Music Ministries. It is also home for the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) andRelevant Radio.
The five-story Cathedral Cultural Center, designed by renowned architect Richard Meier in 2002, features indoor/outdoor reception areas, the 300-seat Freed Performing Arts Theatre, expanded space for world-class visual arts exhibits and a bookstore/gift shop. The four-story Pastoral Center houses the Diocese offices and the Christ Cathedral Academy for students pre-school through eighth grade.
Father Christopher speaks aboutthe many ministries Christ Cathedral provides and is particularly proud of its outreach ministry to those who are materially poor in the Diocese.
“We served 17,000 people in 2018,” he says, “by providing meals, groceries and emergency relief.”
The historic glass exterior of the cathedral, designed by Johnson, has been totally maintained and reconditioned.Limestone walls have been erected to create a sense of enclosure, and 11,000 panels, called quatrefoils, hung toward the ceiling help control temperature and monitor the acoustics. The refurbishment of the Hazel Wright Organ, among the largest and most famous pipe organs in the world, took place in Italy by the Ruffatti company, who built it,and will be voiced and tuned by early 2020. The Crux Gemmata, a large ornate crucifix, rises 18 feet above the cathedral altar and is suspended from a 30-foot platinum-leafed baldachin, or ceremonial canopy. The mezzanine level will support music in multiple configurations.
The complete renovation and restoration costs are $77 million, which includes the Hazel Wright Organ restoration. A redo of the garden-like cemetery called the Memorial Gardens, now in progress, is not part of those costs.
Both Bishop Vann and Father Christopher are extremely grateful for the hundreds and hundreds of people who have helped financially and have volunteered their time to make this religious landmark and architectural wonder a reality. They both credit Robert Schuller for his grand vision for the property.
Father Christopher says,“This will be a place of welcome for people of all faiths or no faith. We want it to be a shining example of what it means to do outreach to the poor or the marginalized. Here we will honor the human person. We will support the artsthroughmusic, dance and painting. We will make it a wonderful home.”
Bishop Vann expresses, “Looking back now, as the final finishing touches are put in place in the Christ Cathedral, I give thanks to God for the generosity and care of so many. Truly reflecting now, I can see the hand of God in many ways that I could not at the time during these years, but isn’t that life in general? I hope and pray that the words which are found in Genesis 28:17 – “This is the House of God and the gate of Heaven” – will always be reflected in the Christ Cathedral and the grounds here in the middle of Garden Grove.”
Christ Cathedral Ticketed Dedication Events
Saturday, July 13, 5 p.m. A Historic Celebration of Faith
Black-tie optional affair for 800 guests features an alfresco reception, concert in Christ Cathedral with Pacific Symphony Orchestra and celebrated singers Jackie Evancho and Chris Mann, followed by an elegant dinner on the plaza.
ChristCathedralCelebration.org
Tuesday, July 16, 7 p.m. Solemn Evening Prayer and Vigil with the Relics
Vespers held in the Arboretum with visiting Cardinals and Bishops as well as a relic from St. Junipero Serra and others.
Wednesday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. Solemn Mass of Dedication
First mass held in Christ Cathedral includes the handing over of the building to Bishop Vann and the blessing of the altar and walls.
Thursday, July 18, 7 p.m. Solemn Evening of Prayer in Thanksgiving
Ecumenical event with representatives from various faith traditions held in the cathedral.
Invitation to Visit Christ Cathedral and Watch the Dedication Mass via Livestream
Christ Cathedral will be open to the public on Sundays following the July 17 Dedication and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dedication Day. It will be open daily in early 2020 after the installation of the Hazel Wright Organ. The Solemn Mass of Dedication can be viewed on livestream via Dedication.rcho.org or ChristCathedralCalifornia.org.
The acclaimed “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition” is on view through January 11, 2020 in the Christ Cathedral Cultural Center. Visit SistineExhibit.com for hours and ticket pricing.