Crystal Cathedral

The Crystal Cathedral, located in Garden Grove, California, is a notable example of a megachurch, gaining prominence in the 1980s. Designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, its main sanctuary features a distinctive star-shaped frame covered by over 10,000 glass panes. These mirrored panes reflect sunlight, and ventilation strips help regulate the interior temperature, creating a unique atmosphere for its 3,000 congregants.1

The Crystal Cathedral campus also includes other significant architectural works, such as the International Center for Possibility Thinking by Richard Meier and the Tower of Hope by Richard Neutra. These buildings, designed in Modernist and Postmodernist styles, are situated close together, forming an outdoor space that blends their aesthetic, spiritual, and functional elements. The city of Garden Grove itself, founded in 1874, grew significantly after World War II and is known for its annual strawberry festival.23