Catholics offer $50 million for Crystal Cathedral

(RNS) The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, Calif., has offered $50 million to purchase the Crystal Cathedral, the famed Protestant megachurch that is attempting to recover from a bankruptcy crisis. The diocese — the nation’s 11th largest — does not currently have a cathedral. The offer, which includes an immediate deposit of $250,000 and a […]

(RNS) The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, Calif., has offered $50 million to purchase the Crystal Cathedral, the famed Protestant megachurch that is attempting to recover from a bankruptcy crisis.

The diocese — the nation’s 11th largest — does not currently have a cathedral.

The offer, which includes an immediate deposit of $250,000 and a secondary payment of $750,000, could provide creditors with relief by the end of the year, Bishop Tod Brown said in a Friday (July 22) announcement.


The diocese’s plan would permit the Southern California ministry to have a leaseback option for an interim period, and give it space for religious and administrative purposes on nearby diocesan property when that period concludes.

Brown called Crystal Cathedral Ministries, founded by Robert H. Schuller, “a valued religious resource” and said he hoped it could continue under the diocese’s plan.

“Dr. Schuller built up this ministry from the humble roof of a drive-in snack stand, and that constant faith in God’s providence, I believe, will sustain their community through these current trials,” he said. “With our offer we will enable this beacon of faith to continue to influence others as an important place of worship.”

The Orange County Register reported that the cathedral has also received offers from nearby Chapman University; a Newport Beach, Calif., developer; and My Father’s House Church International in Norco, Calif.

Crystal Cathedral lawyer Marc Winthrop had told the paper previously that the diocese’s interest in buying the property for its own use would “be a big impediment as far as the Crystal Cathedral is concerned.”

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!