But like so much else at the Crystal Cathedral, the stones, many of them memorials to dead loved ones, have become expendable since the church, founded by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, filed for bankruptcy protection three years ago.  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, which bought the enormous glass and steel church in 2012, has begun ripping out the memorial stones as it begins major renovations to modernize the campus and convert the nondenominational megachurch to a Catholic place of worship. Over the next several years, most of the 1,800 stones will be removed, diocese officials said, and there are no plans to reinstall them. Instead, digital photos of the stones are now on display at a diocese-sponsored Web site.  Once a source of pride and a place to commemorate departed relatives, the Walk of Faith has now become yet another indignity for former Crystal Cathedral parishioners who devoted time and money to a church campus that is no longer theirs.  Twice, Judy De Clercq paid more than $2,000 to have a personalized stone installed on the walk, first in 1996 after her husband died, and again in 2010 after the death of her son.  Her family advised her not to buy the second stone for her son, because she lives on Social Security benefits. But she still visits the stone regularly, even though, at 88, she walks with a cane.  âThe thought of them being dug up just sends me into tears,â Ms. De Clercq said, crying as she spoke. âI donât even know if Iâm going to live through this. Iâve just been so devastated.â  The cathedral was the creation of Dr. Schuller, the founder of the Sunday âHour of Power,â which for more than a decade was the most-watched religious television broadcast. But by the time his organization filed for bankruptcy protection, the church had become overburdened by debt from vanity building projects, changes in the religious broadcasting industry and a deep rift in the church leadership over the line of succession.  Just a few years ago, before the churchâs financial woes became public, few members might have imagined that the memorial stones would have such a short life.  A Crystal Cathedral brochure urging churchgoers to buy the stones promised that most of the money from their purchase would go into a âperpetual endowment fundâ that would âkeep the gardens blooming, the Cathedral glass sparkling and the waters flowing. The principal will never be depleted.â  The Walk of Faith âsilently speaks through the centuries,â the brochure said.  But the money dried up long before a century had passed. Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2010, the churchâs 10,664 windows went unwashed, and ultimately the campus was sold.  The diocese has worked to reassure former Crystal Cathedral churchgoers that they will continue to be welcome on the grounds, which many of them consider sacrosanct. Church officials have pledged that a cemetery on the campus will remain nondenominational.  âWe have tried to honor the legacy of those who donated to the building of the campus,â said the Rev. Christopher H. Smith, who oversees that campus for the diocese and has held several events in conjunction with Crystal Cathedral Ministries.  But he added, âPerhaps their legacy wonât be preserved in exactly the way it was originally there, in the case of the stones.â  When the sale was announced, Donna Atkins and others who had purchased stones were glad to learn that the cathedral would remain a place of worship. (The other major bidder for the property was a nearby university.) But then they received letters informing them that their stones could soon be removed. The next day, the dioceseâs voice mail filled with calls from former Crystal Cathedral members.  âI think theyâre disgraceful for doing what theyâre doing,â said Ms. Atkins, who paid $2,500 for a memorial stone for her husbandâs parents, who are not buried in the area.  âWe were happy to have a place to go,â she said last week. âWe often took relatives to see it. It was very meaningful to us.â  Other longtime Crystal Cathedral churchgoers consider the loss of the stones as a lesson in letting go of the past.  âItâs a betrayal,â said Marni Reed, 64, who bought a Walk of Faith stone two decades ago. âItâs a really crummy feeling. But itâs in the past and we have to move forward.â  Still, Ms. Reed put most of the blame on the leaders of Crystal Cathedral who led the congregation into bankruptcy, not with the Catholic diocese.  âLike, wow, where did all that money go?â she said. âThe bottom line is that somebody really screwed up big time dealing with Crystal Cathedralâs finances, and that is what has led to all the upheaval.â  The diocese has announced that those who purchased stones would be able to come and claim them. But at 100 pounds each, they will not be easy for someone like Ms. De Clercq to take home.  She now questions whether the cemetery where her husband and son are buried will indeed remain ecumenical, despite the dioceseâs assurances. The balloons and artificial flowers that she used to occasionally leave on their graves have been banned â only fresh flowers are permitted now. Even the American flag she put there on Independence Day was removed, she said.  Ms. Atkins called the Web site an insult. âHow dare they think that would just thrill me to pieces?â she said.  She and Ms. De Clercq both said they would be satisfied if their stones were simply moved elsewhere on campus, after the construction was completed â an option diocese officials said they would consider, but would not commit to.  âWe were told it would be forever,â Ms. De Clercq said. âIâm just so heartbroken about it. What else can I say?â
A Roman Catholic dioceseâs modernization efforts for the Crystal Cathedral include digging up inscribed granite stones purchased by churchgoers.