Philip Johnson, Crystal Cathedral (1981)

Home to the massive congregation of preacher Robert Schuller, famous for the Hour of Power television show, the Crystal Cathedral certainly puts the mega in megachurch. Technically a tower of glass, the $18 million structure designed by Philip Johnson utilizes silicon-based glue to hold the 10,000 glass panes in place (it can withstand a 8.0 earthquake). It’s currently being renovated by the Catholic church, which purchased the space after Schuller went bankrupt in 2010.

Photo courtesy Forgemind ArchiMedia, Creative Commons Photo 7 of 10 in 10 Inspiring Modern Churches

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Home to the massive congregation of preacher Robert Schuller, famous for the Hour of Power television show, this 1981 cathedral certainly puts the mega in megachurch. Technically a tower of glass, the $18 million structure designed by Philip Johnson utilizes silicon-based glue to hold the 10,000 glass panes in place. In 2019, the postmodern ecclesiastical structure reopened after a renovation by the Catholic church, which purchased the space after Schuller went bankrupt.