Crystal Cathedral

Crystal Cathedral completes sale of Rancho Capistrano Retreat Center property

May 11, 2010

Crystal Cathedral completes sale of Rancho Capistrano Retreat Center property.
Saddleback Church will lease the property from new owner, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc..

Garden Grove, CA. The Crystal Cathedral announces today the sale of its Rancho Capistrano Retreat & Renewal Center property “The Ranch” to Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., of Oklahoma City—and that Saddleback Church, under the leadership of Pastor Rick Warren, will lease the property to carry on the great tradition of ministry and renewal that has been the hallmark of the Rancho Capistrano operation, established there by the Crystal Cathedral and Dr. Robert H. Schuller.

“We are pleased and excited to make this announcement today,” said Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman, Director of Ministry & Mission for the Crystal Cathedral. “It is so gratifying that Saddleback Church will carry on the longstanding wish and legacy of Donna and John Crean, along with their family, by providing programs on the property that will renew souls and save lives.”

The Rancho Capistrano property was a gift in 1981 to Dr. Schuller’s ministry at the Crystal Cathedral from Donna Crean and her late husband, John, founders of Fleetwood Enterprises. It was their dream to establish a place of spiritual restoration where generations of individuals would find new hope for living just as John had done through his involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous.

For the last 29 years, Rancho Capistrano provided spiritual renewal through retreat programs, weddings and religious gatherings. Earlier this year, Crystal Cathedral’s International Board of Trustees announced its decision to close down operations at “The Ranch” in order to better focus on its outreach to central Orange County as well as its world-recognized and respected positive weekly television ministry—Hour of Power.

“It has always been the desire of my father, Dr. Schuller, and Crystal Cathedral leadership to respect and honor the original intent of Donna and John Crean, and their family. We’ve prayed about this many times, and now to have Rick Warren and Saddleback Church continue this wonderful life-saving legacy, well it’s an incredible answer to prayer,” Sheila Schuller Coleman said.

“Twenty-nine years ago, our family gifted the Rancho Capistrano property to Dr. Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral as a place of spiritual hope and training, and since then, other generous individuals have sacrificially joined with us in continuing its work,” said Andy Crean. “We are pleased to learn that “The Ranch” fits the aggressive and progressive vision of Saddleback Church, and that their plans for “The Ranch” facility will remain faithful to our family’s longstanding dream to provide spiritual inspiration and renewal.”