A cathedral’s transformation from Crystal to Christ

Visitors tour the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, which is now called Christ Cathedral by the new owners of the property, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Bishop Tom Brown from the Word of Life Church in El Paso prays in the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A statue of the Virgin Mary watches over the renovation underway at the Arboretum.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A new sign reflects the changes as the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove is transformed into Christ Cathedral by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A guide gives the history of the former Crystal Cathedral and the surrounding buildings to a visitor.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A worker on a lift makes adjustments to the windows of the Arboretum on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors stop for a picture at the bronze statue “Coming Home,” a representation of the story of the prodigal son by artist De L’Esprie, on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The 90-foot-tall cross atop the 13-story Tower of Hope is reflected in the windows of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Tower of Hope, left, and the Cathedral Cultural Center, right, are just two of the buildings on the grounds of what is now Christ Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A carillon of faux bells stand with the Tower of Hope, opened in 1968 on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Rob Neal, chairman of the architecture and renovation committee for Christ Cathedral, tours the chapel in the Tower of Hope on the grounds of the former Crystal Cathedral.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)