From a bishop’s talking “Bill the Bear” and relics of saints to presidential signatures and an Apollo moon rock, the curated collection features more than 200 unique items that tell church history and Orange County’s.
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (June 10, 2026) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will be hosting its first-ever traveling exhibition of its expansive archives — a curated collection of more than 200 items that includes relics of saints, famous signatures, historic books, Crystal Cathedral architectural drawings, Orange County memorabilia and more.
“Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition” begins on June 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange — coinciding with the official founding date of the diocese 50 years ago and the location where it began. The exhibition runs on select dates at Holy Family (Orange), Christ Cathedral (Garden Grove) and Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church (Lake Forest) through July 8.
Admission is free. For operating hours and updated information, visit www.rcbo.org/archives-exhibition
Media are invited to a special preview of “Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition” on June 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Holy Family, 566 S. Glassell St. in Orange. On-camera interviews will be available. If needed, other media entry times can be arranged.
“Faith, History & Heritage: An Archives Exhibition” is being generously co-presented by Mission San Juan Capistrano, St. Michael’s Abbey and “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience.” Exhibition visitors can receive discounted tickets to the Mission and the Shroud Experience (while supplies last).
“It is our great pleasure to showcase — for the first time in 50 years — some of the many treasures of our church, from the sacred and the historic to the quirky and strange,” said Fr. Christopher Heath, Director of Diocesan Archives. “Many of these items have rarely been seen in decades. Collectively, they showcase our history and heritage, and the many moments that helped establish the faith community of the Diocese of Orange as we experience it today.”
Included within the exhibition is the following and more:
- Famous Signatures: President Abraham Lincoln (whose signature came three weeks before his assassination), President Richard Nixon, silent film actress Mary Pickford, St. Junipero Serra and Archbishop Fulton Sheen (who will be Beatified in September)
- Relics of saints: St. Junipero Serra, St. John Neumann, St. Pius X
- Interesting documents: The founding documents of the Diocese of Orange, hand-written in Latin from the Holy See; Crystal Cathedral architectural drawings; old guestbooks of Mission San Juan Capistrano; various documents tied to the 1976 installation of Bishop William Johnson, first bishop of Orange
- Church mementos: “Bill the Bear,” a talking bear who belonged to the first Bishop of Orange; a baptismal shell used by St. Junipero Serra; an abbot’s mitre from St. Michael’s Abbey; a graduate school class photo of Bishop Kevin Vann with future Pope Leo XIV
- Orange County history: a collection of old O.C. Fair buttons; vintage O.C. citrus crate labels; a piece of railroad that once ran through Huntington Beach; a commemorative statue from a Carl’s Jr. anniversary (when it was based in Anaheim); old Orange County postcards
- Historic books: An ornate copy of the Nican Mopohua, which tells the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico; an almanac from 1775
- Video clips: The moment when Protestant minister Dr. Robert Schuller addressed the Catholic Church after the sale of the Crystal Cathedral; the last video interview from Frederick Swann, aka the “Elvis of Organists”; a recap of the founding day of the Diocese of Orange and its first bishop
- Curiosities and oddities: a moon rock given to a priest from the Apollo 15 astronauts; a Mother Teresa comic book
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About the Diocese of Orange Archives
The diocesan archives date to 1976, when the diocese was founded. As a matter of Catholic canon law, a diocese is required to archive its history and culture, as well as records of its priests, deacons and other personnel.
The first archivist was Fr. Bill Krekelberg, who held the position from 1976 to 2015 and then served as archivist emeritus until his death in 2023. Fr. Bill was a kind of “Catholic picker,” purchasing or otherwise acquiring — from just about any place imaginable — many things he found interesting or relating to local history.
In addition to collecting unique historical items, Fr. Bill carefully curated many essential parts of the Diocese of Orange’s history, including priest records, photographs and special memorabilia. He was also the author of two books on diocesan history, chronicling the stories of our parishes, centers, chapels and schools.
It is due to Fr. Bill’s careful record-keeping and deep love of history that many moments in our diocese — and, by extension, Orange County — have been preserved.
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About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
With 1.3 million Catholics, 58 parishes, six Catholic centers and 36 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools welcoming all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, was dedicated in July 2019. Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at www.rcbo.org.