'Hour of Power' Televangelist Robert H. Schuller, 88, Has Died

Televangelist Robert H. Schuller, the 88-year-old founder of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries, died today.

Schuller, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, died this morning at a skilled nursing facility in Artesia, his daughter, Carol Milner, told the Los Angeles Times.

He had not been undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments since his wife, Arvella Schuller, died in February 2014, the Orange County Register reported. Earlier this year, family members said they were pleasantly surprised with his “amazing” recovery despite the absence of treatment.

Bobby Schuller, who now leads his grandfather’s “Hour of Power” weekly televised church service, told City News Service that the family patriarch hadn’t been able to talk in recent weeks.

“The last thing he said to me was my name, which was really great. He smiled, and I think he said, ‘I love you,’ but I couldn’t tell.

“There’s a part that’s scary, but there’s no dread for us,” Bobby Schuller said. “I believe I’ll see my grandfather one day in a new way. There’s a part of us that has a sense of hope and joy that he continues his existence in a new way.”

Donna Schuller told the Register earlier this week that her father-in- law was not on life support and was breathing on his own, but he was extremely weak because has not “eaten for several days.” He was asleep most of the time, but seemed to be at peace, Donna Schuller said.

Schuller moved to Garden Grove in the 1950s and opened his first church there in 1955 in a drive-in movie theater. He acquired acreage for the iconic Crystal Cathedral and construction started in 1958 on the Richard Neutra- designed building that was finished in 1961.

He founded the “Hour of Power” in 1970.

Schuller retired in 2010 and elevated his daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, to pastor. That same year, the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy, which led to the sale of the mega-church to the Diocese of Orange in February 2012.

As part of the deal, the ministry was able to move to nearby St. Callistus Catholic Church while the Diocese readied the cathedral for Roman Catholic services. It was renamed Christ Cathedral.

Bobby Schuller, who leads services at St. Callistus, said the congregation is growing again.

“Our services are completely packed. God has really blessed us,” he said. “We’re buying new networks and we’re getting even more (television) viewers.”

OTHER PATCH HEADLINES

Homeless Man Helps Reunite Lost Autistic Boy With Family

Crystal Cathedral’s ‘Hour of Power’ Televangelist Robert H. Schuller in Critical Condition

Elderly Man Airlifted from Rugged Wilderness

Report of Gunman at UCI Reflects Tension, Fear Amid Controversial Flag Ban Debate

Alleged Con Man Accused of Scam to Sell Fake Diamonds in Seal Beach

OC Bar Association Rebukes Prosecutors for Apparent Campaign to Intimidate Judge in Mass Murder Trial

• City News Service