For more about modern church architecture—the goofy, the bad, and the ugly—see:
Posted on 07/25/2011 3:08:56 PM PDT by NYer
Apparently it could happen, according to Spero News:
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange (Calif.) has made an offer to purchase the iconic Crystal Cathedral, built by evangelical personality Rev. Robert H. Schuller. The $50 million offer could pull the megachurch out of bankruptcy by the end of 2011. ...
Calling it a "pragmatic alternative to construction of a new cathedral, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange has submitted a formal bid for the Crystal Cathedral, adjacent campus property, buildings and memorial grounds,” said Catholic Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange in a July 22 statement. After the Crystal Cathedral Ministries Board of Directors reviews the offer, the diocesan plan would be presented to the Committee of Creditors and the Bankruptcy Court, the statement said. The Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in October 2010. Some members of the congregation are circulating a petition in hopes of 'saving' the church.
“The offer is straightforward and would provide creditors maximum relief in the shortest possible time,” Bishop Brown declared. “If the proposal is accepted, creditors could see resolution within the year and possibly sooner.”
It's a bit surreal, if you ask me. My initial reaction—from afar, with no special insight into matters of money and such—is quite negative. But consider:
The Catholic diocese, which is looking for a less expensive alternative to building a new cathedral for its 1.2 million parishioners, said its proposal would allow the Crystal Cathedral to lease portions of the property for three years at below market rates. Under the departed Cardinal Archbishop Roger Mahony, the nearby Archdiocese of Los Angeles built a huge block-like structure, derided by conservatively-minded Catholics and architecture buffs. The Crystal Cathedral, however, is widely regarded as one of the architectural marvels of the U.S.
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two buildings. On the left, an architectural marvel; on the right, an, um, uhhh, boxlike structure. Hmmmm...
For more about modern church architecture—the goofy, the bad, and the ugly—see:
• A Great Building Disaster | Moyra Doorly | From No Place For God: The Denial of the Transcendent in Modern Church Architecture
• Why Are There So Many Ugly Churches? | An interview with Moyra Doorly, author of No Place For God
Catholic ping!
Actually, looking at both of them, I’d say we’re fresh out of Brunelleschis, Berninis and Gothic cathedral builders.
Architecture ping!
No matter what you think of Schuller’s beliefs, for the architectural element alone it is worth preserving, and who better than the Catholic Church who has a history of preserving these structures for centuries.
Are there any Roman Catholic saints named Crystal?
So we just make copies of that from now on?
Fulton Sheen preached Schullers Church every so often. I would not think it too far to think Fulton Sheen prayed for this years ago. The power of prayer.
Fulton Sheen preached Schullers Church every so often. I would not think it too far to think Fulton Sheen prayed for this years ago. The power of prayer.
Well that’s a lot better than a Mosque
Well that’s a lot better than a Mosque
This could work out well for the Diocese of Orange which was split off from the LA Archdiocese back in the 1970s. As there was no cathedral, one of the larger parish churches, Holy Family, was designated to be the diocese’s cathedral.
Holy Family being a parish church is far too small for many religious services. The Diocese purchased former farm land in Santa Ana near the Costa Mesa city line, land formerly owned by the Segerstrom family which developed the highly successful South Coast Plaza shopping mall and numerous high rise office buildings, condos and apartments on their former farm land.
With the priest sexual abuse scandal, and the financial settlement agreed to by the diocese, the funds needed to build a new cathedral were no longer available. For $50 million, the diocese could get a sizable campus plus a beautiful cathedral for far less than it would cost to build on the former farm land site. Plus, the farm land could be sold off at a significant price due to its location.
Could be a win-win situation provided the Crystal Cathedral folks could accept Catholics taking over the building that Rev. Robert Schuller worked so hard to make a reality.
Well that’s a lot better than a Mosque
A sewer plant is better than a Mosque~~~and not a lot different!
NYER the Dicosese talking to the real estate agent on that deal it is true we may have Cathoic Crystal Catherial Perhaps
Touche Al Baby that one thing that Crystal Caterhail won’t be Mosque
Additionally, the building is not really suited to Catholic worship . . . unless the spend a few million more reconfiguring the interior.
It was purpose-built for a television ministry.
Touche Al Baby that one thing that Crystal Caterhail won’t be Mosque
Yeah it true maybe need little remodeling LOL!
I tell you one thing you could really see Crystal Caterhail from 5 freeway going into Anaheim very breath taking after you see through LA Smog LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.