California

A cathedral’s transformation from Crystal to Christ

The former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove is being transformed into the Christ Cathedral by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. The 415-foot-long cathedral, designed by famed architect Philip Johnson, is covered by about 10,000 windows and will eventually be retrofitted on the inside to accommodate traditional Catholic Church layout and rituals.

The former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove is being transformed into the Christ Cathedral by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. The 415-foot-long cathedral, designed by famed architect Philip Johnson, is covered by about 10,000 windows and will eventually be retrofitted on the inside to accommodate traditional Catholic Church layout and rituals.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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The former home of the “Hour of Power” -- built with about 10,000 reflective glass panels and 16,000 trusses -- is slated as the new headquarters of Orange County’s Roman Catholic flock.

Tourists

Visitors tour the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, which is now called Christ Cathedral by the new owners of the property, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

In prayer

Bishop Tom Brown from the Word of Life Church in El Paso prays in the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Statue

A statue of the Virgin Mary watches over the renovation underway at the Arboretum.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

New name

A new sign reflects the changes as the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove is transformed into Christ Cathedral by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Guided tour

A guide gives the history of the former Crystal Cathedral and the surrounding buildings to a visitor.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Arboretum

A worker on a lift makes adjustments to the windows of the Arboretum on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Photo op

Visitors stop for a picture at the bronze statue “Coming Home,” a representation of the story of the prodigal son by artist De L’Esprie, on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Reflection

The 90-foot-tall cross atop the 13-story Tower of Hope is reflected in the windows of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Lines of design

The Tower of Hope, left, and the Cathedral Cultural Center, right, are just two of the buildings on the grounds of what is now Christ Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Faux bells

A carillon of faux bells stand with the Tower of Hope, opened in 1968 on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Chapel in the Tower of Hope

Rob Neal, chairman of the architecture and renovation committee for Christ Cathedral, tours the chapel in the Tower of Hope on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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