Crystal Cathedral Transformed To Christ Cathedral Catholic Church

GARDEN GROVE, CA — The Crystal Cathedral has gleamed in the southern California sunshine since the 1970s. The 120-foot-tall structure, initially designed by televangelist Dr. Robert Schuller, was dedicated as the Christ Cathedral on Wednesday.

Though the glass exterior of the cathedral is unchanged from its roots, the interior is now a bright, modern-yet-traditional Roman Catholic church. Inside, ten relics from saints and martyrs across the globe were placed in the reliquary under the altar, reflecting the diversity of the Diocese, they said.

"The Diocese of Orange is proud to be a steward of Dr. Schuller's vision," they said. "The cathedral will continue to serve as a beacon of faith and a platform to preach the power of unconditional love, hope and the idea that through belief anything is possible," a spokesperson for the Diocese said.

Still, the building was much in need of renovation. Architect Scott Johnson of the Los Angeles firm Johnson Fain was brought to the project. His vision, aided by a long history with the structure, involved a transformation that would best serve the needs of a Roman Catholic service.

Gone are the interior stages from the "Hour of Power" television show, but the crystal glass building still maintains a view of the sky with the addition of 11,000 quatrefoil window shades.

Square or diamond in shape, they cast shadows throughout the day that sometimes can appear as crosses, according to Johnson.

The addition of those shades helps eliminate heat and glare, aids in cooling the structure, and reduces the magnifying lens of solar heat.

The sheer glass of the structure, combined with the white diamond of shades is "metaphorical for the skies or heavens," Johnson said. "Hopefully, it will convey a sense of wonder and throw those interesting patterns on the floor."

According to Johnson, both the preservation of the structure, a landmark in Garden Grove and Orange County, meant "building a boat inside a boat."

The cathedral will continue to be a "beacon of hope" and a popular destination for tourists, according to the Diocese.

"Most important, it will serve for decades, even centuries, as a central place of worship for Southern California Catholics," they said.

For Johnson, working on the project was full circle, as he began his career as an apprentice in the design of the landmark church.

"All I knew was that the Diocese had bought a 30-acre site," he said of when he came on board the project. "It was a remarkable coincidence."