Donor Drops $20 Million in the Collection Plate

An anonymous donor gave $20 to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange for the renovation of the former Crystal Cathedral, the church announced Thursday.

The gift is the largest donation in the history of the Orange diocese. All $20 million is slated for the cathedral renovation project at the request of the donor. Church officials hope to turn the campus into a interfaith community center for cultural and artistic expression.

“I am profoundly grateful for the inspiration, faith and energy of the former Crystal Cathedral Ministries in creating this extraordinary campus in service to the mission of Christ and for the prayerful response and stewardship shown by the Catholic faithful, who have given sacrificially to help create a spiritual center for the people of Orange County,” said Bishop Kevin Vann. “In acquiring and developing Christ Cathedral and its campus we have worked to create not only a needed center for our Church, but a true center of unity for our diverse and often disparate community here in Orange County.”

In 2012, the church took over the Crystal Cathedral and began renovating the iconic church and seven-building campus. The entire project will take several years and cost in excess of $100 million, according to church officials. Another, 24,000 parishioners have already pledged more $85 million for the project.

Architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee designed the all-glass church in the 1970s. It was Rev. Robert Schuller who coined the name, “Crystal Cathedral,” according to the diocese. Made entirely of glass and steal, the building took more than two years to complete and stands 12 stories tall. It seats more than 2,000 people. Closed for the renovation, the cathedral is slated to reopen in 2017.

“I am blessed to offer my faithful and financial support to the Diocese’s efforts to restore and renovate the campus and make its vision for the Christ Cathedral a reality,” the anonymous donor said in a written statement released by the diocese. “I hope this gift will inspire other donors in our community to give as well.”