Diocese Closes Purchase of Crystal Cathedral

The Diocese of Orange has closed on its purchase of the shimmering Crystal Cathedral and the church’s nearly 31-acre property.

The diocese said Friday that escrow proceedings had closed on its acquisition.

The Catholic Church agreed to pay $57.5 million for the sprawling campus in Garden Grove and plans to make it the site of a long-sought cathedral for Orange County.

The Crystal Cathedral sold the property to help pay creditors and emerge from federal bankruptcy protection.

The sale sparked a bidding war between the diocese and Orange County’s Chapman University.

Founder Rev. Robert H. Schuller said he preferred the church remain as a place of worship.