Unusual glass temple "Crystal Cathedral" in Garden Grove (USA)
The impressive building ofmirrored glass, high sharp spire receding in to the sky - so looks like today
one of the most beautiful cathedrals belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.
This magnificent building is located in Garden Grove (California, USA), and
many of the faithful, it is known as "popular" name "Crystal
Cathedral» (Crystal Cathedral).
Once this unique building
belonged to the Reformed Protestant Church of America. Founder of the
community, known in the US televangelist Pastor Robert Schuller (Robert
Schuller), began construction of the cathedral in 1977. To develop the project,
he drew the architect Philip Johnson, who was able to realize all the ideas
pastor and design extraordinary glass building. It is very different from the
architecture of our parts, for example - the building Diveevo monastery.
Erection of a unique cathedral
was completed in 1980, pulling unimaginable cost - about $ 18 million. During
the construction of the new technologies were used: a huge rectangular glass in
an amount of about 10 thousand pieces not bolted and glued to the base-frame
with silicone adhesive. But the apparent fragility of the building is
misleading: architects argue that it is able to withstand even earthquake
amplitude of up to 8 points.
To represent all the greatness
of "Crystal Cathedral" enough to learn about its size: the height of
the building, having the form of four-pointed star, is 39 m, and a sharp
steeple bell tower rises to 77 m. At the same time church can accommodate 2,736
worshipers, and those who did not get into the can observe what is happening on
the giant screens set up outside.
Around the cathedral beautiful
garden decorated with sculptures and a fountain; there is also a small lake,
harmoniously complete the picture. Worship in this grandiose temple resembles
rather religious show with performances by celebrities, dancing and singing.
"Crystal Cathedral" is also known for his body, which is the fifth
largest in the Americas
In 2011, this fantastic
building was purchased by the Roman Catholic Church, as the former owners are
mired in debt.
