c. 1995 CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL ROBERT SCHULLER DIORAMA DRIVE IN DISPLAY + CERTIFICATE for Sale

c. 1995 CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL ROBERT SCHULLER DIORAMA DRIVE IN DISPLAY + CERTIFICATE For Sale

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

c. 1995 CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL ROBERT SCHULLER DIORAMA DRIVE IN DISPLAY + CERTIFICATE:
$389.99

[ROBERT SCHULLER, CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL, GARDEN GROVE]

On offer here is an ORIGINAL CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL DIORAMA / MUSEUM DISPLAY RELATING TO THE EARLY DAYS OF ROBERT SCHULLER'S CHURCH AT THE ORANGE DRIVE-IN SERVICES. In addition to the display is a certificate from the 'Reformed Church in America' commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the church's founding in 1955.

The lucite clear display measures 24 in x 18.5 in x 10.25 in. Inside the display is a mockup of a automobile wheel and dashboard to facilitate the 'feel' and view of the 'drive-in' service parishioners listening to Schuller via the drive-ins P.A. system. One of the original car speakers from the drive-in theater is included in the display.

Our understanding is this and other display pieces were placed in storage about 2013 after the church filed for bankruptcy.

An interesting and historic relic of what was at for a time the most famous and well known church in Orange County, California and one of the more notable churches in all of Southern California.

___________________

The Garden Grove Community Church was founded in 1955by Robert H. Schuller and his wife Arvella. A congregation of the ReformedChurch in America, the church first held services in space rented from theOrange Drive-In Theatre.

The congregation moved to the present Christ Cathedralcampus in 1961, erecting a building now known as the Arboretum, designed byarchitect Richard Neutra, as its initial sanctuary. In 1968, the congregationcompleted the Tower of Hope to provide office and classroom space but continuedgrowth led to the need for a new sanctuary. Schuller commissioned the firm ofPhilip Johnson/John Burgee Architects to design the sanctuary.

Construction of the Crystal Cathedral began in 1977and was completed in 1980, built at a cost of $18 million (equivalent to $67million in 2023). The signature rectangular panes of glass comprising thebuilding are not bolted to the structure; they are glued to it using asilicone-based glue. This and other measures are intended to allow the buildingto withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8.0. The building was constructed usingover 10,000 rectangular panes of glass.

Upon moving from the old Neutra sanctuary to the newJohnson/Burgee sanctuary in 1981, the congregation changed its name to the"Crystal Cathedral" – an alliteration derived from the appearance ofthe building (though the building was not constructed with crystal glass). Thecongregation added the Prayer Spire in 1990.

Beginning in 2010, creditors of Crystal CathedralMinistries filed lawsuits to collect money due to them for providing goods,services and broadcasting The Hour of Power weekly TV show. A board member saidthat the total debt was $55 million.

The church's board filed for bankruptcy October 18,2010, citing $43 million in debt including a $36 million mortgage and $7.5million in other debt. Church officials said that they had been trying tonegotiate payments but after several suits were filed and writs of attachmentwere granted, the church had to declare bankruptcy.

Please email any questions -

(Shipping: We will effect shipping via UPS ground or arrange local delivery at reasonable cost)