Step into Christ Cathedral, the world-famous architectural marvel by Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Originally known as the Crystal Cathedral and built in 1980, today this awe-inspiring structure seats more than 2,000 people and has been extensively renovated to fit the needs of the Catholic Church. Large yet intimate, the cathedral also has a small prayer chapel, baptistry and entry narthex area. The building is also home to the world-famous Hazel Wright Organ, the fifth largest pipe organ in the world at 17,000-plus pipes. Any event here, whether Mass, a wedding or other celebration, is sure to create memories of beauty, the sacred and the divine.
St. Callistus Chapel & Crypts
Cathedral Undercroft
The St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts, located in the Christ Cathedral undercroft, is a stunning Romano-Byzantine space with festal colors, contrasting with the neutral palette and contemporary aesthetics of Christ Cathedral above. The worship area is available for Masses, weddings, funerals, lectures and other gatherings. It features a small pipe organ and has livestreaming capability as well as screens to display multimedia.
The tabernacle and sacred art were made by Talleres de Arte Granda, based in Madrid, Spain. The crypts behind the chapel contain burial spaces for Diocese of Orange bishops, as well as niches for all the faithful.
As per Bishop Kevin Vann’s promise, the roughly 11,000-square-foot chapel was named in honor of St. Callistus parish in Garden Grove, which was founded in 1961 but closed in 2013 as part of the Crystal Cathedral sale to the Diocese of Orange.
Cathedral Plazas
Hosting events on the Christ Cathedral campus plazas offers a unique and inspiring setting for a wide range of gatherings. One of the key advantages of hosting events on the plazas is the versatility of the spaces available. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, a wedding ceremony, a cultural festival, or a community fundraiser, there are plazas and outdoor areas suited to accommodate gatherings of varying sizes and themes.
