Robert H. Schuller: televangelist, pastor and founder of the Crystal Cathedral

Early life and family

Schuller was born in Alton, Iowa, and raised in a family of Dutch ancestry (Dutch) that belonged to the Reformed Church tradition. After theological training and early pastoral work he married Arvella de Haan in 1950; the couple raised five children and worked together in ministry for many years. Arvella was an active partner in the church until her death in 2014.

Ministry, media and the Crystal Cathedral

Schuller launched the Hour of Power in 1970 as a weekly television worship service that emphasized hope, encouragement and practical faith. The program mixed sermon, music, and staged worship and was syndicated to a large American and international audience. The Crystal Cathedral, a glass‑walled sanctuary completed in the late 20th century, became an architectural symbol for the ministry and hosted elaborate musical programs, guest speakers and televised services.

Message, writing and public influence

Rather than focusing primarily on doctrinal controversy, Schuller emphasized a positive, solution‑oriented message often summarized as "possibility thinking." He wrote numerous books and pamphlets that combined religious faith with motivational language; some reached broad popular audiences and contributed to the overlap between self‑help and modern evangelical broadcast ministries. His approach influenced other preachers and media ministries that sought to reach television viewers with uplifting, accessible sermons.

Organization, later developments and notable facts

At its height, Schuller's ministry operated an extensive broadcasting effort, a philanthropic and programmatic staff, and high‑profile music productions. The Crystal Cathedral itself was notable for its scale and glass design, and for collaborations with well‑known architects and musicians. In later years the ministry faced leadership disputes and financial challenges that led to restructuring of operations and changes in ownership of the church property.

Death and legacy

Robert H. Schuller died on April 2, 2015, in Artesia, California, after complications related to esophageal cancer. He left a complex legacy: a widely syndicated televised worship format, a recognizable architectural landmark, numerous books and recordings, and a model of church media outreach that blended religious messaging with motivational rhetoric. Scholars and observers often cite him when discussing the modernization of American Protestant broadcast ministry and the blending of sermon and self‑help genres.

• Notable program: Hour of Power (began 1970)
• Founding site: Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California
• Birthplace: Alton, Iowa
• Cultural roots: Dutch Reformed background

For further reading on broadcast ministry, church architecture and the history of televangelism, consult general histories and biographical sources that examine both the public influence and the organizational challenges that accompanied Schuller's long career in American religious broadcasting.

televangelist | pastor | motivational speaker | television | Crystal Cathedral | California | Alton | Iowa | Dutch | esophageal cancer