As I noted on Facebook earlier today, I am not a fan. The building is, simply, ugly. Maintenance costs are astronomical: each pane of glass has to be cleaned. Providing A/C for the building will be an exorbitant cost. As if these reasons weren't enough to be displeased, how in the hell can this space be converted for Catholic worship? Unless the pipe organ is removed, the focal point behind the altar will be... pipes. Significant portions of the seating are on balconies, which will not make the Rite of Holy Communion an easy task.
Oh, I forgot. Above the pipes are speakers. Speakers the size of my car. Further, even if the current "stage" is dismantled, how will the altar, ambo, and chair be anything but swallowed by the vast windows behind them?
All is not negative, I suppose. During the course of the Mass the People of God can keep a watchful eye on their cars in the parking lot.
Pax et bonum.
I went to several services at the Crystal Cathedral in the early 90's with my grandmother--she was a big Shueller fan. I was Presbyterian back then...
ReplyDeleteI like it ALOT--the acoustics are unreal. If the pipe organ comes with it that is great-- it is a wonderful instrument. The whole design of the cathedral was based on the placement of the organ so moving it and/or the pipes will ruin the acousitics. I'm a big fan of modern architecture anyway...
The Prayer Spire is a bit sci-fi..
It is hard to tell in the photos but there is a big stage area where there is plenty of room for altar, ambo etc. Tabernacle can be mounted on the wall. More artsy folks than I can figure out how to place the crucifix.
If the Diocese gets all the campus buildings as well as the Cathedral that will be a haul..
Sara
I've never had a chance to have a look around the Crystal Cathedral (maybe next time I visit the US, if I'm in the right area), but I'd seen pictures and was intrigued when I heard the Diocese of Orange was in negotiations to purchase it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the big blocky things behind the podium - are they to house the organ? - but the rest of it seems to be a good example of modern architecture. I hear the organ is world-class, as well.
I'd like to test-drive that pipe organ, (if there was nobody around to hear my screw-ups!)
ReplyDeleteI read a couple of Rev. Schuller's early books; he described how he was inspired to build a church which felt like it was open to the sky.
If anyone wants to have a little fun looking at funky, unusual churches, here is an interesting link:
http://www.boredpanda.com/50-most-extraordinary-churches-of-the-world/
A dear departed friend of mine designed and installed the organ - it is magnificent, I agree with you, Thom, however that the re-ordering of the place will be very difficult, but it can be done. (AC and glass cleaning issues aside).
ReplyDeleteRe the organ..
ReplyDeleteIn the second photo there is a line of water and greenery...and the end of the line look up just a bit and you see a square..that is the organ..the light colored triangle just behind the organ is the choir loft. Choir members can also standin front of the organ, there anre risers available for that... the services I went to the choir was "double decked" like that.
As far as communion--if they have to serve people int he balconies I could see using additional deacons/EMs such as like what they do during Papal visits and the crowd is in a football or baseball stadium....
Sara
I was told today that there is no ACV, rather huge walls of glass open up and ventilate the space... (!?!)
ReplyDeleteWow. I don't think it is pretty necessarily, but it does give an impression of grandeur, what with all the glass, the sense of vast skies opening up and around, etc. I am not Catholic, however, so I am at a loss at how ... well, I guess I see your point, like it does not lend itself to introspection and intimate meditation? It might, however, appeal to those looking for more of a visual-mystical "being born aloft" experience. I agree with you on the aesthetics and the unnecessary expense, but on the other hand, I like intense music, so if the organ sounds really grand, I could be sold on it. I think.
ReplyDeleteHi all- I appreciate the feedback. I just wrote a follow-up post that hopefully clarifies my position a bit.
ReplyDelete