This review is not for the church itself, it's for the immersive experience of the Shroud of Turin they have at their cultural center area. The church itself is beautiful, I've never attended mass here so I can't say how it is. The immersive experience was very nice and very informative. I love that everything here was proven with data and that there really was a man, Jesus Christ, that was crucified the way the bible is written! This shroud is a replica and from what I saw it will be on display here until 2030 with hopes of getting renewed. We all loved it! I highly recommend it! read more

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I went to church to pray and give thanks to God for the progress I've made in my personal goals and the recent success I've experienced. I had made an oath and felt genuinely called to go pray. When I arrived, Mass was already in progress, but I only intended to quietly join for a few minutes. As I walked in, an older woman at the front stopped me. I was wearing a hat, which I planned to remove once I sat down, but before I could do that, she told me I wasn't allowed to enter. I asked why, explaining that I just wanted to pray and be part of the service. She refused and told me I couldn't come in. Then, she went as far as to physically hit my hat and told me I was being disrespectful. I asked again if she was seriously denying me access to join the Mass and pray, and she said yes. She told me to go to the chapel instead if I wanted to pray. I've never experienced anything like this before especially in a place that's supposed to be open to anyone seeking God. It felt wrong to be turned away like that when all I wanted was to pray and express gratitude. read more

Loved it! Beautiful place to visit, from the cathedral itself to the shop. Found lots of gifts to bring back for family and friends

The property and buildings are stunning.....the services are unique..there's a lot of faith !!!!!

Absolutely massive and stunning. The architecture was already impressive from the outside and the interior was similarly gorgeous. The cathedral literally shone with the thousands of quatrefoils. The walls were decorated with innate paintings and sculptures. There were multiple floors and rooms for masses in different languages. Besides the cathedral, there were other must visit landmarks. As a member of the Vietnamese Catholic community, I especially appreciated the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine and gallery of Vietnamese martyrs. During my visit, the Vietnamese community was also selling various dishes in the courtyard. The St. Callistus Chapel held Chinese mass and crypts. The walls were lined with mosaics of missionaries from different countries and times. Notably there was elevator access for those who were impaired. The decor was relevant to the season so it is worthwhile to visit throughout the year to see how everything is decorated. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a tour of the campus but I highly recommend all to check out the architectural greatness in the middle of Orange County. read more

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So much history and interesting architecture here. We've been to this cathedral several times for weddings but never in the newer building and were excited to see what it looked like from the inside since it was remodeled. The arboretum and tower were designed by Richard Neutra, a notable modernist architect who also did the Santa Ana courthouse and many other large buildings and residences in LA and socal. You can see them on the left side and though they've been maintained well some necessary modern additions like signage and large screens create an odd mishmashed look with the original intent. I love these buildings a lot but I am the outlier and most people consider them dated. The small water area outside the towers next to the stairs is still full of water and it's one of my favorite areas to look at the buildings and the landscaping. The more recent addition was designed by Philip Johnson who was an architect known for glass. It was remodeled to be more catholic and also improve some long standing issues from the "crystal cathedral" days. It shows in the upgraded panelling on the inside which lets in the sunlight in soft diffused patterns that give the interior an almost heavenly glow while also greatly disappating the heat. The acoustics here are also amazing and I've rarely heard "ave maria" sound so crisp and elegant. It's very close to Little Saigon's Catholic Vietnamese population and they have a food stall in the courtyard that sells Vietnamese street foods, snacks, and even fresh produce. read more

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I started going here regularly now (or try to) after we have my dad rested here in their Memorial garden. I experienced coordinating for my dad's funeral mass, or Celebration of Life mass as I named it for him on the flyer, with different parties from Christ Cathedral. From the engraving group to the Memorial garden group and their on the day of service, to the choir and the assistant for the mass and the main priest/rector, which was Fr. Bao. He presided the Celebration of Life mass for my dad with my dad's friend, Fr. Hong from Australia. It was a beautiful celebration and the Memorial Garden team did a great job with the service of laying my dad's ash into the niche at the garden. It was a bit confusing coordinating everything but I'm glad we chose this place for my parents. read more

I'm glad I got to check out what is now, Christ Cathedral. I have been to this location before, when it was Crystal Cathedral, and to be honest, I kind of liked the old cathedral a little more. I think it's partially because back then it wasn't an as fancy cathedral and the people felt a little more authentic. But it's still a great church now and bonus that's it's now part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. It's an understatement to say that this is a very grand place for worship. It really spells the wealth of the county itself - with massive reflective windows, huge buildings in the complex, and the iconic Crean Tower (you cannot miss it, it's in the smack middle of the complex in front of the church). There's also beautiful fountains and a memorial garden for those who wish to do any future planning, and a serene place to visit loved ones. They have different masses throughout the week, with Daily Mass and Sunday Mass. Sunday Mass is very inclusive, serving the community with English, Vietnamese, and Spanish masses. I attended the Vietnamese mass and it was very packed, which is really good to see. The priests and the congregation were all very much in good prayer and it was a moving mass service. The parishioners who serve here are really well-dressed, or possibly during my last visit, it is because it's Advent season and they're wearing their, "Sunday Best." But they all came off generally neutrally friendly. So yeah, this place is great to visit if you just want to look at some pretty cool architecture, or if you want to spend some time and revitilize your inner spirit. Either reason, you will be welcomed here. There's a few parking lots here, so depending where you come in and walk into the church, it will face different sides during mass. But, worth the visit if you're in the area. read more

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Amazing place. Honoring and stunning architecture details to glorify the name of our lord. Every spot of this place is a perfect scenery for a picture. Definitely a great place for anyone to make the trip. read more

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Amazing facility, got a tour which was well worth it. Came close to tears more than once. I remembered my mother saying she wanted to see it someday, but she was never able to. I highly recommend it Catholic or not (I am not). If you are not religious at all, or not mature and respectful, recommend to not attend. read more

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What a stunning and beautiful church. Like a crystal palace. Super interesting outside and inside. There's also a serene beautiful outdoor contemplation garden out back. Definitely inspiring and worth a visit. read more

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Every time we drive towards Disneyland on CA-22 , I noticed a gleaming structure in the distance. After some research, I found out it's the famous "Crystal Cathedral," now known as Christ Cathedral, with its iconic Crean Tower. Compared to the majestic cathedrals of Europe, Christ Cathedral is a modern architectural marvel. Located in Garden Grove, Southern California, where the sun shines most of the year, this glass-constructed building truly stands out. The entire Christ Cathedral campus covers around 25,000 square feet and features several buildings completed at different times: Tower of Hope, Crystal Cathedral, Crean Tower, and the Cultural Center. I drove in from Chapman Avenue, parked on the left side of the parking lot. One of my friends was late so I took a stroll around the area. To the right is Memorial Gardens, a serene space filled with greenery, tall trees, and sculptures depicting biblical stories. The pathway leads to the Cultural Center, which houses exhibitions and can be rented for weddings and other events. The center has a peaceful vibe, with design elements reminiscent of a mini Getty Center. No surprise, as it was actually designed by Richard Meier, the same architect behind the Getty Center, completed in 2003. Directly in front of the parking lot stands the Crystal Cathedral in all its glory, with the Crean Tower beside it. The main cathedral was designed by the first Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Philip Johnson, and John Burgee. Construction began in 1977 and was completed in 1981. The Crean Tower was added in 1991. Johnson's lifelong fascination with glass architecture is evident in the tower, which stands about 236 feet tall. It's topped with irregularly shaped stainless steel spires and houses a carillon of 52 bells weighing 42,000 pounds. Below is the Mary Hood Prayer Chapel, open 24/7. While there, I heard the bells chime every 15 minute, and I can only imagine how powerful it would be to hear them all played at once. The tower, surrounded by blue skies and bathed in Southern California sunlight, sparkles from every angle. The Crystal Cathedral behind the tower takes the glass design concept to the extreme. Measuring 415 feet long, 207 feet wide, and 128 feet high, the cathedral is made of over 10,000 glass panels, supported by over 1,000 steel frames that allow the structure to withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. Inside, natural sunlight pours in, keeping the space bright and cool without air conditioning. The soaring interior is elegant and solemn, seating up to 2,736 people. The focal point is a massive white organ, the fifth largest in the world, blending seamlessly with the space. Even though I don't practice any religion, just sitting there for a few minutes brought a sense of peace and tranquility. My friend finally joined me and we moved to the Tower of Hope, the first structure built on the campus. There's a statue standing on water, possibly inspired by a biblical story. The restroom here is surprisingly luxurious, with dark wood walls, gold fixtures, and marble floors--a stark contrast to the rest of the cathedral. My friend insisted we take a photo inside, as it looks more like a corner of a five-star hotel than a restroom! Our final stop was the Lady of La Vang Shrine, near the parking lot. This shrine is a symbol for Vietnamese Americans, representing the legacy of those who fled religious persecution during the Vietnam War. The structure is made of 400 steel plates and 80 glass panels, with a commemorative plaque made of basalt from Vietnam on the ground. The area around the statue is filled with flowers, creating a fragrant and peaceful atmosphere. Christ Cathedral is listed as a City Landmark by City of Garden Grove. Just a few streets away (about a 3-minute drive) is The Outlets at Orange, a large shopping center with a cinema and several restaurants. The outlet is also only about 6 minutes from Disneyland, making it a great stop if you have some free time before heading to the park. **Christ Cathedral** 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840 **The Outlets at Orange** 20 City Blvd W, Orange, CA 92868 read more

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As a construction manager, this building is an architectural masterpiece. Christ Cathedral is a must-visit for those going to Santa Ana. Upon entering, there is a beautiful interior with two stairwells leading to more rooms special for masses, chapels, and weddings. There are also specialized sections for illustrations of the mysteries in the back of the cathedral. The facilities are all clean including the bathroom. Highly recommend this spot for those visiting Santa Ana and looking to learn more about Catholicism. read more

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朋友說天天只有看見我在吃東西，其實我也常常亂跑，只是沒有時間Po出來而已，今天介紹我們橙縣很有名的水晶天主教教堂，沒想到離我那麼近，裡面真的是好莊嚴喔，外面佔地也很寬廣，這麼美的地方，怎麼我之前都不知道呢？ 南加最近風和日麗，那麼好的天氣，吃飽閑閑時，就該用一顆瀏覽的心，去看待人生，告訴自己，其實一切的得與失，隱與顯，都無需太在意，不過都是人生的風景罷了！ read more

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Is beautiful Very enlightening experience I will continue to visit The choir and the Organ are amazing read more

A Catholic church needs to be theocentric, centering God. When you walk in, you should immediately see the altar and tabernacle, clearly associated and linked with each other. There shouldn't be distractions and you shouldn't need a map to find these things. Absolutely no reverence in this church. It is all about the building and not about Christ or the liturgy. It would be hilarious if it weren't so dire and heartbreaking. I understand that this was not built by Catholics, but the diocese should never have made the decision to purchase it. It is a borderline mockery. read more

Amazing Crystal Cathedral all glasses and so big, beautiful Mẹ La Vang statue outside display for everyone to visit and pray a private room with Sister Mary and candles to pray. We happened to attended the right time during mass service. read more

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Date of visit: May 6-7, 2023 Location: Anaheim Parking: Multiple lots available to park at around the cathedral and the campus; parking is free Experience: My best friend and I were here for an event called Ever Ancient Ever New and were able to experience adoration Saturday night and then mass on Sunday. For adoration, we were on the bottom floor of the cathedral, but for mass we were on the second level of the cathedral. I did appreciate the large screens that projected the music and readings through the mass as well as the announcements near the end of mass. The choir sounded good, but it was hard to tell what they were singing since the sound system wasn't really that great depending where you sat in the cathedral. The cathedral is unique itself since it use to be a Protestant church, but I did appreciate the layout of the cathedral, even as small as it was in comparison to other cathedrals I have been to though I do miss seeing stain glass windows that would be a staple in cathedrals I've been to. Not sure if I will go back here anytime soon for mass, but glad I was able to experience it. read more

Christ Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Garden Grove, California

This cathedral is magnificent! It's awe inspiring on the outside and beautiful on the inside. The campus is made up of the Arboretum, Christ Cathedral, Crean Tower, Cultural Center, Pastoral Center, Tower of Hope and the newest addition Our Lady of La Vang Shrine. The whole campus is impressive but I'm most impressed by the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine and the Crean Tower. Needless to say, inside is stunning and I almost feel it's distracting attending mass there because you just want to take in all the beauty. I was lucky to attend a mass that had a great choir. Love it. Btw, if possible, attend mass both night and day because the ambience and scenery for daytime and nighttime are different. read more

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My daughter and her school choir were invited to sing at the Christ Cathedral during a special youth day along with 15-20 other choirs. My family and I were first time visitors and this cathedral impressed us beyond belief. It is huge, modern and truly a beautiful place to visit. The grounds are very clean and organized, employees and volunteers are very hard workers, there is plenty of parking available, restrooms are large and very clean and the positive vibes are everywhere. My family including my daughter and her classmates truly enjoyed the experience of our visit. read more

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Beautiful place! I was a member back in my youth when it was the Crystal Cathedral. Great memories (80s) I still enjoy coming up to the Christ Cathedral often as it is so beautiful and the sanctuary is open daily. And the old sanctuary is also often open. I do wish the Chapel (directly under the large cross you can see towering over the property known as the Chapel in the sky) was open to the public but it's not. When asked why I was never given a proper answer just "it's not." Which of course is no answer. You can see it if you take a tour of the church but why have a chapel if its not used regularly? Perhaps it can be open M-F for a few hours a day. It could be staffed with someone to keep an eye on it while people visit as they do with the Cathedral. 'Just a thought. read more

Christ Cathedral - Chapel in the Sky - Churches Near Me - Garden Grove, California

I was a guest at a wedding here recently and was very impressed by the beauty of the Cathedral both inside and out. The premises are huge (compound like) with large parking lots off multiple entrances. The acoustics were great for music. When someone was speaking or singing, there was a strong echo making it hard to listen to/stay focused. I never heard of this place prior to receiving an invite, but I guess it's quite famous. Grounds were open to the public. It is a beautiful place to walk around and definitely worth a visit. read more

Christ Cathedral - Inside incredible view - Churches Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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So much planning, prayer, design, construction, and love went into the acquisition and renovation of Christ Cathedral. The Cathedral complex is a masterpiece of sacred and architectural beauty. Designed by the top 20th C. modern architects, it is an icon for the Orange County Catholic and surrounding community. read more

I visited with my family this weekend for the first time and the cathedral is stunning. I have visited many churches/cathedrals (including the Vatican) throughout Europe and Eastern Canada and I was very impressed with the architecture, beauty, and artistry of this cathedral. The seating in the upper floors are designed in a way I have never seen, in a sort of triangular shape. I noticed there was a line to greet the priest after church which lasted almost 30 minutes which says a lot about how centered people feel in this community. We took our own tour but didn't get to see it all so we will definitely return. As a Catholic, I was personally very proud that we get to have something so majestic near our home and not have to travel to another continent to see it! The Spanish mass compared to the English mass was standing room only, which is impressive in itself as it can seat approximately 2,200 people! read more

This is the most beautiful church we have ever worked at! As a wedding photographer and videographer this is a dream place! It has a stunning and iconic and unique design. As you enter the cathedral, you can't help but be awed by the striking glass walls that flood the space with natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The cathedral's modern architecture and design elements make for a beautiful and unique backdrop for wedding photos and videos. The cathedral's vast interior allows for a variety of shots, from wide angles that capture the grandeur of the space, to more intimate shots that highlight the couple's love and connection. The cathedral also offers many opportunities for unique and creative shots, such as reflections in the glass, and interesting lighting effects. As a photographer or videographer, we appreciate the professional and courteous staff at the Christ Cathedral, who are always available to assist and ensure that everything runs smoothly. They are very accommodating, allowing you to capture beautiful images and videos without any restrictions. Another important thing is there are a lot of places where you can shoot your family pictures, bridal party and romantic portraits! read more

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Love this church. Plenty of parking and definitely a must see if you're visiting town. There's a lot of mass times available and they offer live streaming as well. This church honestly got me and hubby through the pandemic. Father Christopher Smith delivered meaningful and warming homilies during some of the most uncertain times in our lives. This church will always hold a special place in our hearts. read more

That's a beautiful cathedral, I love the mass in the church, father Iam is very nice.

This review is for the Sistine Chapel Exhibit: When in Rome...in the OC. :) I have never been to Rome, and don't have plans to visit anytime soon...so it was nice to have these paintings brought out to me. My sister was the one who discovered the exhibit, and took me as part of my Birthday gift. I went without any expectations, and was blown away. Such beautiful paintings by Michelangelo, I was stunned at the level of detail each artwork had. Though each painting had a description next to it, the +$3 for the handheld device to walk me through with added context was worth it! We spent a good 2 hours at this exhibition, though the space allocated was quite small. Maybe snapping 100+ photos caused the long stay. They are only here thru the end of August, so I highly suggest stopping by esp. if you have not visited the actual chapel in Rome. read more

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Stunning church! History: The gorgeous building was originally built for the Reformed Church of America (Crystal Cathedral Ministries) circa 1980/1981and when the church filed for bankruptcy in 2010, the Catholic Church purchased the building in 2012. It took a few years to renovate and was officially consecrated by the Catholic Church in 2019. I've been wanting to attend mass here for quite some time. My boyfriend and I were planning a weekend in OC and this was at the top of our list. We attended Palm Sunday mass here this year and went to the early Spanish service. Social distancing was practiced and fully enforced, every other pew was blocked off for spacing. After mass ended they hurried everyone out to do a deep-cleaning. Mass was really nice. They have large screens displaying the songs and readings. They even have a nice small gift shop that's where you can find religious items such as rosaries, prayer cards, books etc. read more

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Beautiful church & campus. Everyone was really nice. The cemetery is small but clean and nice. read more

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Ok, this is the most insane (in a good way) catholic cathedral I've been in. And although I haven't been the most angelic boy in my mom's eyes, I still have visited a good number of Catholic churches around the country. The way I understand it, this church was purchased by the Orange Diocese from a different denomination and coverted for Catholic use. This place is palatial. Just a sight to behold. You park on campus grounds and you are just in awe of how huge this place is. I've been to the Vatican, and although nothing compares, this might be the closest modern day version of St. Peter's that you can get to in the U.S. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the feeling I got when I walked in to this massive church. We sat in the top deck, stadium seating style. On this Easter Sunday, the place was packed with church goers. The sun was gleaming through the alternating glass panel roof. Really hard to concentrate on scripture when you're just looking around. Also, one negative of a place like this - the acoustics aren't the greatest. Everything bounces around so unless the speaker speaks slow and perfect English with full enunciation, it will be hard to understand. We took a ton of pics on the grounds. There is also a small cemetery type area (forgot what it's called). It's mostly a tribute to the Viet peeeps, which as I understand, has a large population in the area. Must visit. read more

Amazing space grateful to have stumbled upon it Beautiful view and location convenient read more

This is such a beautiful place to have a funeral service or to have your loved ones bury here. My fiancée had her grandpa funeral service here last year and it's so amazing inside the church. We stopped by to visit her grandpa grave when we were in the area and the weather was perfect around the time we arrived. The sun basically shine the beautiful building and the architect around here should be appreciated. They have alot of parking spots here so you should be able to find parking. read more

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Even before this church became a Catholic Church my family would bring visitors to see the impressive and beautiful structure. Now that it is a Catholic Church we not only get to bring visitors to tour the grounds but actually attend mass as well. More recently they unveiled the statue of Đức mẹ la Vang, a sacred symbol for Vietnamese Catholic. I know many aunts and uncles have shed tears in her presence. At her feet is where my mother would kneel on days when she feels overwhelmed. While I prefer to attend smaller more intimate places of worship, I can't deny the impact this place has had on our community and family. As this is not the church I regularly attend, I can only attest to the occasional visit. It's worth checking out. read more

Our family lost a loving uncle and to our pleasant surprise we found out Christal Cathedral has a crypt. The staff and priest made fine delicate arrangements for just a few of us. It was a beautiful day to say the least. I am personally glad my uncle will be resting for all eternity in such a beautiful mirror architecture cathedral. The crypt is more of a labyrinth and I will be happy to visit him. I am so grateful for the generosity and delicate behavior my family has received. His passing was not due to covid19 but other natural causes. It is a big property so do pay attention to where you choose to park otherwise it will be a walk. I look forward to my visits to chat with one of my favorite uncle's. So who would know that Christal Cathedral has a crypt. Absolutely beautiful and breath taking. Makes me proud to be Catholic. read more

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Beautiful sacred space, grounds and prayer center. 35 acres in the middle of Orange County. Go visit! In addition to the remodeled Christ Cathedral, check out the stunning St. Callistus Chapel on the lower level. read more

Beautiful Catholic Cathedral. I recommend it. They also have big screens and can read what the father is saying. read more

Christ Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Garden Grove, California

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The architecture and the expansive landscape here is so beautiful and majestic! We finally decided to stop by and see it up close. After passing by it so many times in the past it's just one of those thing in the back of your mind that you tell yourself one day you'll check it out- well that one day is now! It's a campus/church/and Venue location. It's very modern so you wouldn't even think it's a church if you were just passing by. I would love to come back for mass and experience it on a day of worship. It is said to have the largest musical instrument (organ) in the world that is housed in the tallest glass structure in the world. It's definitely a must see because the feeling of belonging has taken over me! It's calming & picturesque. Such a solemn place. Even if you aren't a religious person you can still appreciate and respect the beauty of what this place holds. read more

Christ Cathedral - Churches Near Me - Garden Grove, California

Absolutely breathtaking, mind-blowing, never-before-seen, out-of-this-world, life-changing, awesome, amazing, superb, magnificent, mega, hyper, incredibly awesome architectural marvel. Formerly known as the Crystal Cathedral, and now Christ Cathedral, this is something to behold and experience first-hand. Photos don't do it justice. read more

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Beautiful Cathedral! Inside laynout is great. Looks like you are watching a concert every mass. Excellent choir. They have 3 big screens so you can see & read the scriptures & sing songs together with the choirs. read more