This is a complex of religious buildings in Garden Grove, near Disneyland. The founder of this megachurch, Robert Schuller, was one of the first “media preachers” to target the largest possible congregation. He began by preaching in open-air cinemas, and in 1961 his first church, designed by Richard Neutra, opened in Garden Grove. This structure was designed for both ordinary visitors, located inside, and for motorists who parked in a parking lot with terraced levels. They could watch the service through the glass walls of the church. In 1968, Neutra built a 13-story Tower of Hope topped with a cross for Schuller to house the office of a Christian counseling hotline. In 1970, Schuller's regular telecasts began: the buildings he ordered became spectacular decorations for them.
In 1980, the most famous site of the cult ensemble in Garden Grove, the "Crystal Cathedral" by Philip Johnson, was erected, which gave the name to the modern name of this megachurch - "Mission of the Crystal Cathedral." The walls of this immense structure are composed of 10,000 panels of mirrored glass attached to the frame with silicone glue; the cathedral is designed for 2,800 believers. It should be noted that Johnson applied the foundations of "green" architecture there: the interior of the temple is ventilated only naturally, without air conditioning, through the openings in the glazing, the width of which is automatically controlled by a thermostat.
Twelve years later, Johnson built an openwork bell tower of steel prisms next to the cathedral, but even this did not seem enough to Schuller: in 2003, the International Center for Constructive Thinking was erected nearby according to the project of Richard Mayer - also made of stainless steel (“constructive thinking” was a key concept in Schuller's sermons, an alternative to the "positive thinking" popular among his colleagues).
In 2006, Robert Schuller retired, leaving his megachurch to his heirs. Their short-sighted policy led to the bankruptcy of the entire "enterprise", so now there is a high probability that the buildings will be handed over to creditors. This can be dangerous if the new owner is unable to appreciate the significance of his acquisition - and after all, each of the buildings in the complex is a striking and characteristic work of a prominent architect of the 20th century, deserving respect. On the other hand, a new appointment can make buildings more accessible, and the atmosphere of the ensemble more neutral, which is beneficial for lovers of modern architecture.
N. F.
