Crystal Cathedral

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Crystal Cathedral

The Crystal Cathedral is a Christian megachurch in the city of Garden Grove, in Orange County, California. The church was founded in 1955 by Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller and his wife, Arvella on the campus of what was known until that time as Garden Grove Community Church. One of the church's mission statements is, "Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it." The church is considered the world's first seeker sensitive church. World-famous architect Philip Johnson designed the main sanctuary building, which was constructed using over 10,000 rectangular panes of glass. The church is also known for its 280 rank, five manual pipe organ constructed by Fratelli Ruffatti. The instrument incorporates the large Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ built in 1962 for New York's Avery Fisher Hall.

The Crystal Cathedral broadcasts its church services around the world on a television show called The Hour of Power and the provides facilities for those of a similar faith to congregate. The campus services include support groups, Sunday school classes and daily Christian gatherings.

Early on December 16, 2004, 57 year old Johnnie Carl, the cathedral's orchestral conductor, fired several rounds in the cathedral, shortly before the annual Glory of Christmas program was about to begin. The shots were fired in the vacant concourse area and no one was injured. Carl reportedly suffered from clinical depression. Soon after, Carl committed suicide. In his 29 years as Minister of Music at the cathedral, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements, including several selections on tenor Daniel Rodriguez's newest inspirational album. Rodriguez, a frequent musical guest at the Sunday services, dedicated his album titled "In The Presence" to Johnnie Carl. Schuller praised Carl's work as conductor and told his congregation that "We can be reassured that he is in heaven." Today, Marc Riley, Sean Groombridge, and Donald Neuen lead the music department at the Crystal Cathedral.

Dr. Robert H. Schuller transferred leadership of the Crystal Cathedral and the Hour of Power TV program to his son, Dr. Robert Anthony Schuller on Sunday, 22 January 2006. The Cathedral celebrated its 50th year of ministry in 2006.

The name "Crystal Cathedral" is a misnomer as the Reformed Church in America is governed by elders, while a cathedral is the church where one finds a bishop's official seat, or cathedra, nor is the sanctuary constructed of crystal. The title reflects Schuller's frequent use of alliteration, both within his sermon titles and points, and book titles.

[edit] Trivia

The Crystal Cathedral and former senior pastor, Dr. Robert H. Schuller, were depicted in an episode of The Simpsons in Season 9. Homer Simpson is dragged nude across the glass roof of the Cathedral by a hot air balloon, while Rev. Schuller and the congregation sit aghast below, inside the sanctuary. Rev. Schuller exhorts his congregation to keep their eyes focused on the floor during the ordeal.

The Crystal Cathedral was recently featured on the History Channel program entitled, "Building in the Name of God," which profiled the world's great cathedrals.

The Hour of Power broadcast is the most-watched Christian program in the world, with an average of 30 million viewers tuning in each week.

In October 2000, former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev was a guest at the Crystal Cathedral.

The Cathedral is renowned for featuring famous celebrities during the Hour of Power services on a regular basis. Recent guests have included musician John Tesh, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, pianist Roger Williams, Christian singer Joy Williams, former Backstreet Boys lead singer Brian Littrell, Christian singer Natalie Grant, former tennis star Michael Chang, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, American tenor Daniel Rodriguez, musical group The Oak Ridge Boys, from The Bachelorette, Jason Illian, Christian singer Sara Groves, and Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

[edit] References

E.M.Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List, Compiled by Allen Kinzey and Sand Lawn, published: Organ Historical Society, Richmond, VA. 1st Edition, 1992, page 124.