JAMES KIRKIKIS / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
CHRIST CATHEDRAL , GARDEN GROVE
THE IMAGE PARTY / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
Formerly known as the Crystal Cathedral , when this house of worship was completed in 1980 , it was the “ largest glass house in the world .” Designed by Johnson / Burgee architects , the structure stands 120 feet tall , 141 feet long and 207 feet wide , and consists of 10,660 panes of glass . With seating for 3,000 and housing the Hazel Wright Organ , one of the world ’ s largest musical instruments , Christ Cathedral was not cheap , costing $ 18 million — almost $ 64 million in today ’ s dollars . Perhaps that ’ s why the original owners , Crystal Cathedral Ministries , declared bankruptcy in 2010 , citing $ 43 million in debt , including a $ 36 million mortgage . The cathedral is now owned by the Diocese of Orange .
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