From a 'glass box' of television to a Catholic cathedral

Art · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Crystal Cathedral was once a symbol of modern televangelism, broadcasting to 20 million people worldwide. Today, it stands as a Catholic landmark. This transformation involved a complex $72 million renovation to solve extreme heat and acoustic issues while preserving the building's iconic, reflective glass exterior.

Originally designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the building opened in 1981 as the home of Crystal Cathedral Ministries. Founded by Robert H. Schuller in 1955, the ministry used the structure to broadcast the 'Hour of Power' television program. Upon finishing, the structure held the title of the planet's biggest glass edifice, featuring 10,000 rectangular panes that showed reflections externally while remaining clear internally. The construction began in 1977 and cost $18 million. It was designed to survive a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. The structure also features a 52-bell carillon and an underground chapel with a revolving crystal cross.

By 2010, the ministry faced severe financial distress, including an estimated $55 million in debt and multiple lawsuits. After filing for bankruptcy in 2010, the property was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012 for $57.5 million. The sale was notable because the Vatican initially investigated whether the 'glass box' design was too irregular for a sacred space, though it ultimately granted approval for the transfer. The purchase price was roughly equivalent to $82 million in 2025. The diocese chose this site because it was more cost-effective than building a new structure in Santa Ana. The sale was approved by Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert N. Kwan.

The transition to Christ Cathedral required significant structural and aesthetic changes. The diocese had to address severe heat and glare issues—so intense that viewers of the original broadcasts were seen wearing sunglasses inside. Architects installed 'petals' (angled quatrefoils) to deflect heat and create a 'box of stars' lighting effect at night. The renovation, which concluded in October 2024, also included seismic retrofitting, the installation of a new altar, and the $2 million restoration of the Hazel Wright Organ, the world's fifth-largest pipe organ. The renovation was funded by a 2011 fundraising campaign and a $20 million anonymous gift. The project used a locally sourced marble veneer to save money. The building now houses a shrine featuring a 12-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• A cathedral's status depends on a chair, not its size
• Why this London landmark was built without a single piece of steel reinforcement
• Metz Cathedral holds the world's largest expanse of stained glass, earning a celestial nickname.
• How the wreckage of World War II forged a new religious aesthetic
• The architectural jewel that survived two massive earthquakes
• From Trader Joe's to the center of teen romance
• The comedy of the absurd: Chris Elliott’s surrealist career arc
• From the Buffalo Bills to the halls of Hollywood
• How a 1974 detective masterpiece exposed the dark reality of Los Angeles water politics
• African cinema is not a monolith, but a vast, evolving tapestry of regional voices.
• How a masterpiece of French cinema was forged in the shadow of Nazi occupation
• Australia's cinematic history is a volatile cycle of boom and bust, not a steady climb.

More in Film and television · More in Art · Latest · A–Z · All topics