The fast-growing Catholic diocese bought the huge reflective-glass building for around $NZ72 million last year after Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy.

Catholic Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange diocese has announced a new name, Christ Cathedral, and appointed an episcopal vicar to oversee the transition of the Protestant landmark into the diocesan cathedral.

The diocese has given the Crystal Cathedral Ministries congregation rent-free use of a nearby Catholic church for six months.

The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, who began preaching from the roof of a snack bar at a drive-in movie theatre in 1955, built the 2700-seat architectural marvel in 1980.

It became the venue for his "Hour of Power" television broadcasts that once attracted 20 million viewers around the world. But declining donations, a disastrous leadership transition and an endless family squabble split the congregation in recent years.

The new episcopal vicar, Father Christopher Smith, recalls as a child watching from his grandparents' backyard as the energetic young evangelist preached at the drive-in theatre.

Now Father Smith has the delicate task of turning a religious and architectural touchstone cherished by evangelical Protestants around the world into a Catholic cathedral.

The diocese hopes to honour Schuller and the history of his ministry with a museum that includes the drive-in movie theatre.

"I just hope that we attend well to all the different people who are affected by this, and also that this place be seen as a place where everyone is welcome to find hope and consolation and inspiration, whether they're Catholic or not," Father Smith said.

"That's the bishop's desire — that we are a real credible witness to Christ in the world through our work here."

Sources:

Times and Democrat

Crystal Cathedral

Diocese of Orange

Image: The Inquisitr

The fast-growing Catholic diocese bought the huge reflective-glass building for around $NZ72 million last year after Crystal Cathedral Ministries filed for bankruptcy.

Catholic Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange diocese has announced a new name, Christ Cathedral, and appointed an episcopal vicar to oversee the transition of the Protestant landmark into the diocesan cathedral.

The diocese has given the Crystal Cathedral Ministries congregation rent-free use of a nearby Catholic church for six months.

The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, who began preaching from the roof of a snack bar at a drive-in movie theatre in 1955, built the 2700-seat architectural marvel in 1980.

It became the venue for his "Hour of Power" television broadcasts that once attracted 20 million viewers around the world. But declining donations, a disastrous leadership transition and an endless family squabble split the congregation in recent years.

The new episcopal vicar, Father Christopher Smith, recalls as a child watching from his grandparents' backyard as the energetic young evangelist preached at the drive-in theatre.

Now Father Smith has the delicate task of turning a religious and architectural touchstone cherished by evangelical Protestants around the world into a Catholic cathedral.

The diocese hopes to honour Schuller and the history of his ministry with a museum that includes the drive-in movie theatre.

"I just hope that we attend well to all the different people who are affected by this, and also that this place be seen as a place where everyone is welcome to find hope and consolation and inspiration, whether they're Catholic or not," Father Smith said.

"That's the bishop's desire — that we are a real credible witness to Christ in the world through our work here."

Sources:

Times and Democrat

Crystal Cathedral

Diocese of Orange

Image: The Inquisitr

"It will become a true center for our Catholic community in Orange County," Bishop Tod Brown told reporters after Thursday's verdict.

The decision by US Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Kwan, came after a bidding war developed for the 40 acre property between the diocese and Orange County's Chapman University.

The sale of the property will help the financially troubled megachurch emerge from bankruptcy.

For the last two weeks, the board of directors of Crystal Cathedral Ministries had supported Chapman as the preferred buyer. But the board did an about-face Wednesday and voted to back the diocese instead to preserve the church as a religious institution, citing church bylaws and a wish to respect the spirit of donors who footed the bill for the building.

"I'm really pleased to know that this campus is likely for at least decades, if not centuries, to be kept as a sacred place of worship," Carol Milner, daughter of church founder Rev. Robert H. Schuller, said after the hearing.

Schuller started the Crystal Cathedral as a drive-in church in the 1950's under the auspices of the Reformed Church in America. Decades later, the Southern California ministry evolved into an international televangelism empire and erected its now-famous building.

In 2008, the church's revenues plummeted amid a decline in donations and ticket sales for holiday pageants due to the recession, church officials said. But some experts say the church failed to attract younger members while alienating older churchgoers with an ill-fated attempt to turn the church over to Schuller's son, ending in a bitter and public family feud.

The church laid off employees and cut salaries, but its debts surpassed $43 million, prompting the Crystal Cathedral to declare bankruptcy last year.

Chapman University said the ruling wouldn't alter its plan to expand its course offerings.

"I'm disappointed, obviously," university president James Doti told reporters after the ruling. "We did the best fight that we could."

Sources

• Associated Press