170-Acre Ranch Donated to Saddleback Church

A 170-acre ranch formerly owned by the Crystal Cathedral is officially switching denominations.

Hobby Lobby, a nationwide arts-and-crafts retailer that purchased the land from Crystal Cathedral Ministries last year, announced it is donating the property to Saddleback Church.

Lake Forest-based as an overnight retreat center and pastor training location.

“We have witnessed many lives changed at the property during our time there,” Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren said in a statement. “We thank Hobby Lobby for this wonderful gift and look forward to seeing more lives changed through our ministry here.”

This is the second time the land has been donated to a church. In 1981, Donna and John Crean, founders of Fleetwood Enterprises, gave the property to Crystal Cathedral Ministries.

The Garden Grove mega-church used the ranch for retreats and religious gatherings until selling the property to Hobby Lobby in 2010 as church finances suffered.

The ranch is 12 miles from Saddleback Church and even closer to its satellite campuses in San Clemente and Laguna Woods.

Hobby Lobby founder David Green said Warren and his congregation "have contributed to the Lord’s work on this property, and we couldn’t be more excited to donate this property to them. ... Pastor Warren’s contributions to the world are long and inspirational, and we hope this transaction adds to his church’s legacy of producing good in the world and providing hope to many.”