Schuller passes mantle to his son

Robert Anthony Schuller to lead Crystal Cathedral congregation founded by his father 50 years ago.Like father, like son.

The Rev. Robert Anthony Schuller of Laguna Beach has been chosen to succeed his father, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, as senior pastor of Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.

Father and son hugged after the elder announced on New Year's Day that he would step down as senior pastor of the ministries that he founded 50 years ago. He will continue his service to the church, with the title of founding pastor, after his son is installed Jan. 22.

Robert Anthony Schuller was born Oct. 7, 1954, in Illinois, one of five children and the only son of Robert H. and Arvella Schuller.

He earned his master's degree in divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena and was ordained in the Reformed Church of America.

He married his second wife, Donna, in 1984. They have two children: a son, Anthony, a senior at Laguna Beach High School, and a daughter, Christina, who was an original cast member of MTV's first "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" and is now a junior in college.

The couple met in Laguna.

"We were both living at Laguna Royale and both going through a divorce at the time," Rev. Schuller said. "We consoled one another and became friends, and that continues to grow."

The Schullers moved to San Juan Capistrano after they married and lived there until five years ago. His two older children from his previous marriage lived with the couple until about 1989.

"We were looking for the best high school and we found it here," Schuller said.

Donna Schuller is active in SchoolPower and was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Laguna Beach Chapter of Soroptimist International.