Explore this standout architectural and spiritual destination near downtown Anaheim Monday – Saturday with a self-guided or docent-led tour. Located at 13280 Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove, there are 32 beautiful acres with a variety of buildings including Christ Cathedral, Cathedral Cultural Center, as well as gardens and an on-site cemetery. With 55 volunteer docents, private groups of 15+ can schedule a personalized tour. Otherwise, complimentary tours take place throughout the day and last around 40 minutes.
Visit the cathedral grounds from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays. Sundays are reserved for a day of worship at this now-Catholic institution, although all faiths are welcome to the services. When it was first built in 1980, “Crystal Cathedral” was designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee as a sort of religious theater. Enclosed in glass, Rev. Robert Schuller had a big say in its design, wanting his evangelical televised church to “be open to the sky and surrounding world.”
A California Beauty
Today, the Cathedral’s main sanctuary seats 3,000 people. Currently under renovation (but open during construction), the big reveal is slated for 2018. With the star-shaped plan and a modified Latin cross plan on the campus, the architects have been challenged to create such an angular construction.
There are more than 10,000 mirrored glass panes that are created to withstand an 8.0 earthquake and wind speeds up to 100 mph. From the carillon with 52 bells to the ability to hold 1,000 singers and performers, it’s truly an Anaheim marvel everyone has to see to believe.
