rev. robert h. schuller , the touchstone of schuller 's storied ministry , was sold to the roman catholic diocese of orange in 2011 .
he was diagnosed with a tumor in his esophagus that had spread to his lymph nodes and began treatment .
once a charismatic and well-known presence on the televangelist circuit , schuller faded from view in recent years after watching his church collapse amid a disastrous leadership transition and sharp declines in viewership and donations that ultimately forced the ministry to file for bankruptcy .
the soaring , glass-paned crystal cathedral .
in july 2013 , he was hospitalized for days after a late-night fall at his home in orange .