Since it opened in 1991, the Memorial Gardens cemetery at the former Crystal Cathedral, now Christ Cathedral, has been a restful enclave where relatives of the dead could pray, reflect or grieve. Set below grade, in the shadow of the iconic glass cathedral and prayer tower, the 3-acre plot of green with a mausoleum and niches, flanked by fountains, has been a popular feature on the Christ Cathedral campus.
Once one of the best-kept secrets in the Diocesan roster of cemeteries, the Memorial Gardens are about to undergo a major overhaul and expansion.
“It’s an important feature for the community,” said Michael Wesner, director of cemeteries for the Diocese, calling it an “honor and a privilege” to oversee and maintain the grounds.
In recent years, as the small cemetery has begun to approach capacity, the Diocese began planning to undertake an impressive expansion of the space. In addition to expanding the footprint of the cemetery by nearly an acre, the grounds will expand capacity by about 450 percent, adding a Sanctuary of Eternal Life; mausoleum; sarcophagi, or stone coffins; and thousands of glass and marble niches.
While the Diocese oversees more than 100 acres of property across four operating cemeteries, the parcel in the Christ Cathedral complex is unique. It is the only ecumenical burial ground, and a rare operating cemetery adjacent to a church.
Wesner said the cemetery will remain available to non-Catholics to honor the multi-denominational roots of the space. However, he said about 95 – 98 percent of those now purchasing spaces are Catholic.
Because of the cemetery’s ecumenical history and the modernist architecture throughout the campus, the expansion will be reflective of that look.
The new sanctuary will be “striking and modern,” according to architects, and feature “large doors embellished with glass artwork.”
The expansion will be able to accommodate about 6,300 added spaces, including room for 1,200 more in-ground burials, which are sold in 600 two-space lots. Wesner expects these spots will go quickly. Already 30 have sold before the groundbreaking. Another 800 mausoleum spaces will be available and may take several years to sell out. There will also be more than 4,000 niches, which could remain available through the second phase of construction, Wesner predicted.
Full story at OC Catholic.
Yep, an “ecumenical” burial and grieving space. Just the thing as the Catholic Church becomes the “NewCatholicChurch–Ecumenical Version.” What a slap at the centuries of saints living the True Faith, a Faith that was not ecumenical outside of itself, but completely open and transparent to all. Now, the NewChurch has become a puppet of Martin Luther, who is now hailed by the Pope himself.
We all die. Best to die a Roman Catholic in a state of grace, with the name of Mary on his lips.
Seems some would prefer to live on a ‘Catholics only’ planet.
So presumably you have evolved and now prefer the formerly Catholic country of Ireland, whose citizens have voted the sins of same sex marriage and abortion on to themselves? I’ll take the Catholic planet, thank you very much.
I hate it when unimaginative writers use the “best-kept secret” cliché. This is really just an ad for cemetery plots posing as a fake news story. The Diocese of Orange, so close to Disneyland, has learned important lessons from Disney/ABC about product placement and cross-promotion among various media outlets. Wouldn’t be surprised if the diocesan Facebook page and Twitter and Instagram accounts were also promoting the cemetery. You see, it’s all about cross-functional product placement and marketing and sales these days.
What is your point, exactly, “mike m”? Christ wanted the entire world converted to His teachings and commanded His apostles to do this: “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.//Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” (Matt 28:19-20).
Christ also made the Catholic Church His Church. Yep, all the world should be Catholic, “mike me.”