Community Corner

Bank Donates $1 Million for Christ Cathedral

Farmers & Merchants donated $1 million to the Diocese of Orange for the renovation of the former Crystal Cathedral.

Farmers & Merchants Bank donated $1 million today to the renovation of the Diocese of Orange's Christ Cathedral.

The donation was made during the 11th annual Conference on Business and Ethics in Irvine.

The Diocese of Orange acquired the Crystal Cathedral mega-church in bankruptcy court in November 2011. The diocese is preparing to move into the newly christened Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, but is working to raise $53 million for the renovation, the diocese's Ryan Lilyengren said.

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The bank's donation was part of the For Christ Forever Capital Campaign, which seeks to raise $100 million, with the rest going toward Catholic schools, the retirement of priests and other expenses.

Business leaders Rick J. Muth and Rob Neal received the Bishop Kevin W. Vann Award for Exemplary Business Integrity at today's conference. Crystal Cathedral founder Rev. Robert H. Schuller and his wife, Arvella, were also honored with the Farmers & Merchants Bank Lifetime Achievement Award.

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- City News Service


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