Posted on 02/04/2012 12:19:37 AM PST by Cronos
The Diocese of Orange has closed on its purchase of the shimmering Crystal Cathedral and surrounding 31-acre grounds, putting the iconic building seen as a testament to televangelism in Catholic hands.
The diocese said Friday that escrow proceedings had closed on its $57.5 million purchase of the property, which will become the site of a long-sought cathedral for Orange County’s nearly 1.3 million Catholics.
..“Our goal is to preserve an already cherished religious landmark and to enhance its worship use for Orange County Catholics and all people of faith who may be inspired by this wonderful, now Catholic, cathedral,” Bishop Tod. D. Brown said in a statement.
The sale of the building designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson could mark an end to the storied televangelist ministry broadcast that came crashing down in hard times.
The building’s glass-paned walls that let worshippers see the sky is the backdrop for the church’s “Hour of Power” televangelist program, which is the source of 70 percent of the church’s revenue.
...Experts say the ministry will need to work to rebuild its identity after losing its iconic home. There will be a period of transition. The ministry can continue to use the glimmering church and other campus structures for up to three years while diocese officials prepare the site for Catholic worship.
For example, the church will need a central altar and a baptismal font, diocese officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
who cares about the building, i want the massive pipe organ
I thought that this was a bad idea at first, until I saw how much it costs to build new large cathedrals today. If they get a good architect for the remodeling, it may be beautiful. Hopefully, Robert Schuller, now 85, will be able to be present at the re-dedication.
The Schullers’ services will continue in the building for 2 or 3 years, and then they will have the opportunity to buy another church down the street.
So how is this flinging around riches going to get played by the Jon Stewart media? ‘You know’ poor people got to eat. Think maybe the new revelations of taxation by the dear leader is not going have the tax addicts plotting and planning???
Well at least this beautiful building didn’t fall into the hands of the Moonies or Morons....oops Mormons.
Better off with the Papists than with the Televangelist types.
For example, the church will need a central altar and a baptismal font, diocese officials said.
Schuller is nominally Reformed. I suspect we will see just how nominal he is.
(I'm currently reading Hughes Oliphand Old's Worship: Reformed according to Scripture. It's a series of lectures on the history of worship practice from OT times, through synagogue worship, through to the present with special focus on Reformed and Presbyterian practice. Recommended. I will probably turn right around and re-read this.
If you hear a Presbyterian call the table an "altar" they're being at best sloppy.)
CC Gamecock, keeper of the Antics of the Televangelists Ping List
Best wishes to all. I’m not crazy about it, but then, my parish meets in a “multi-purpose parochial facility” that looks more like a funeral-service building than anything else.
The diocese will only allow guitars ;)
Why?
why do I find it ugly? Well, I’m prejudiced against the modern glass building :) that’s one...
In the eye of the beholder, of course. But having been in each building, I find the glass cathedral much more attractive than Mahoney’s LA Cathedral. The only saving grace of the latter would be the tapestries, which are just great. Its interior shape reminds me of a huge bathtub.
bumpus ad summum
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