Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA.

Christ Cathedral formerly and informally known as the Crystal Cathedral, is an American church building of the Diocese of Orange, located in Garden Grove, California. The reflective glass building, by the firm of Philip Johnson/John Burgee Architects, seats 2,248 people and was originally completed in 1981 and was touted as “the largest glass building in the world.” 

The building was originally the principal place of worship for Robert H. Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral Ministries founded in 1955. In February 2012, the Diocese of Orange purchased the building for use as the diocese’s new cathedral and was renovated to accommodate the Catholic liturgy. For the re-design, the Crystal Cathedral became Christ Cathedral of the Diocese of Orange County in southern California. The famous landmark is designed in a four-pointed star pattern and features more than 10,000 panes of glass.

The mss renovation of Christ Cathedral re-opened July 2019 after a $77 million renovation which included a mesmerizing and award-winning daylighting & electric lighting system designed by Francis Krahe & Associates.  The project represents a masterful solution that incorporates both lighting design & daylighting on grand scale in an iconic building.