How Pastor Robert Schuller & Congregation OVERCAME ALL OBSTACLES!

In 1961, the congregation moved to a new sanctuary designed by famed architect, Richard Neutra . Construction on the Cathedral began in 1977 and ended in 1980. The initial estimated cost of the church was $6 million, but the final cost was over $17 million (about $55 million in 2007 dollars).

One way Dr. Schuller found to help finance the construction of the Crystal Cathedral was to invite donors to give $500 for each of the 10,000 rectangular panes of glass, which raised over US$5 million by its completion. Upon moving from the old Neutra sanctuary to the new Johnson sanctuary, the congregation changed its name to the Crystal Cathedral Congregation.

One of the church's mission statements is, "Find a need and fill it; find a hurt and heal it." The Crystal Cathedral broadcasts its church services around the world on a television show called The Hour of Power and provides facilities for those of a similar faith to congregate. The campus services include support groups, Sunday school classes and daily Christian gatherings.

The Hour of Power broadcast is the most-watched Christian program in the world, with an estimated average of 20 million viewers tuning in each week.

The Uniquenes of the Crystal Cathedral

The church is also known for its 320 rank, five manual pipe organ constructed by Fratelli Ruffatti. Designed by Virgil Fox and expanded by Frederick Swann, the instrument incorporates the large Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ built in 1962 for New York's Avery Fisher Hall, and the Ruffatti organ which had been installed in the church's previous sanctuary.

The rectangular panes of glass are not bolted to the structure; instead they are glued to it using a silicone based glue. This and other measures allow the building to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.0.

The name "Crystal Cathedral" describes the building's size and beauty and does not mean it is a cathedral in the Roman Catholic, Anglican or Lutheran sense of the word: the Reformed Church in America is governed by elders, while a cathedral is usually the term for a church where one finds a bishop's official seat, or cathedra, nor is the sanctuary constructed of crystal. The name reflects Schuller's frequent use of alliteration within his sermon titles, points and book titles.

The Cathedral is renowned for featuring famous celebrities during the Hour of Power services on a regular basis. Notable guests have included musician John Tesh, former USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former Vice President Al Gore, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Christian singer Jaci Velasquez, pianist Roger Williams, internationally acclaimed flautist Sir James Galway, Christian singer Joy Williams, Backstreet Boys member and Christian singer Brian Littrell, Christian singer Natalie Grant, former tennis star Michael Chang, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, actor Noah Gray-Cabey, American tenor Daniel Rodriguez, musical group The Oak Ridge Boys, Christian singer Sara Groves, radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger, MLB baseball player Kirk Gibson and actor Denzel Washington.

Even the Crystal Cathedral & Pastor Schuller have Problems!

Carl, who suffered from bipolar disorder, ended up committing suicide. In his 29 years as Orchestra Director at the cathedral, Carl wrote more than 3,500 arrangements, including several selections on tenor Daniel Rodriguez's newest inspirational album. Rodriguez, a frequent musical guest at the Sunday services, dedicated his album titled "In The Presence" to Johnnie Carl.

Schuller praised Carl's work as conductor and told his congregation that "We can be reassured that he is in heaven." As of 2005, Dr. Marc Riley (orchestra composer and conductor), Sean Groombridge (organist) and Donald Neuen (choir conductor) lead the music department at the Crystal Cathedral.

MORE PROBLEMS:

On Sunday, January 22, 2006, founder Robert H. Schuller retired as Senior Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. His son, Robert Anthony Schuller, was installed as the second Senior Pastor of the church and head of the Hour of Power TV program.

On October 25, 2008, Robert H. Schuller removed his son Robert Anthony from his pastoral role at the Crystal Cathedral, citing "a lack of shared vision".

[1] In a prepared statement, founder Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary ... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry."[2]