A view from the second floor of the stairway and ceiling in the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
News the former Trinity Broadcasting Network headquarters in Costa Mesa will become a school recently provided a last opportunity to tour the elaborately decorated campus.
Network founders Paul and Jan Crouch, who started their prosperous TV ministry in the early 1970s, opened the Costa Mesa headquarters on Bear Street in 1998. Visitors were welcomed to meander the grounds and tour the buildings and collections. For several years a popular bookshop was open. And the massive display of holiday lights shining along the 405 Freeway were known far and wide.
One of the many interior rooms in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view from the second floor of the mural on the ceiling in the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view from the second floor of the stairway and ceiling in the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view from the third floor looking down to the second floor just beyond the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view up the stairway and ceiling from the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An exterior view of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ornate woodwork and a chandelier in one of the many interior rooms in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of a mural on the underside of the stairway in the lobby of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view through an archway from the fountain and courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many interior rooms in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view up the stairway and ceiling from the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs.(Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A coat of arms in the floor of the lobby of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A theater on the second floor of the rotunda in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ornate woodwork and a chandelier in one of the many interior rooms in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of the building and courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Floor to ceiling murals decorate the walls in a hallway of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many floor to ceiling murals that decorate the walls of a hallway in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of the fountain and courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view from the third floor of the stairways in the lobby in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view in the first floor of the rotunda in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the many statues in the courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mural on the ceiling in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The dining room in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A hallway just adjacent to a small theater in the former Trinity Broadcasting Network building located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of the fountain and courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of the rotunda of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A view of a lion’s head, part of a fountain and courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus, located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple of the many statues in the courtyard of the former Trinity Broadcasting Network campus located on Bear Street and the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa, across the freeway from South Coast Plaza, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. The property and building has been acquired by EF Education First, a global education company focusing on language, academic, cultural exchange, and educational travel programs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Paul Crouch died in 2013, followed by Jan three years later – and their worldwide ministry sold its distinctive Costa Mesa home base in 2017. The network had struggled with declining revenue and faced reports of apparent family infighting and several lawsuits. Broadcast operations were shifted to Tustin and other locations.
But some hallmarks of the couple’s tenure remain at the Costa Mesa campus, at least until the renovation work begins.
A peek inside the 65,000-square-foot building reveals that although the furniture is gone, evidence of a sumptuous decorating style remains. A grand staircase with ornate gold railings dominates the view at the main building’s glass front doors, and the network’s take on a royal coat of arms is inlaid on the marble floor: two lions rampant flank a shield decorated with a cross and white dove, topped by a jewel-studded crown.
Crystal chandeliers grace what was once a TBN employee dining room, as well as the third-floor building wing that housed Paul Crouch’s offices and personal quarters. Cream-colored draperies trimmed with heavy gold fringe still hang at some windows. Maple wood panels cover the walls of rooms, while mirrors are in abundance elsewhere.
Walls and ceilings are decorated with hand-painted frescoes, some of biblical scenes and others showing chubby cherubs and robed angels playing lyres, trumpets and cymbals. Alcoves that once held sculptures stand vacant.
Now-empty fountains surrounded by manicured trees and bushes once led visitors up to the building, and behind it, a separate rotunda where guests were received is ringed by a shallow concrete moat, also dry.
Other features of the TBN campus include a small movie theater and larger auditorium for lectures and performances, and the “Via Dolorosa” tourist attraction (a recreation of Christ’s route through Jerusalem before his crucifixion).
Officials with EF, the English language school, have said they’re working through the city’s approval process and hope to begin construction by the end of the year.
