Built into the red sandstone cliffs of the Sonoran Desert, Chapel of the Holy Cross offers panoramic views of the region's rugged landscape. Commissioned by a local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, the chapel took nearly two years to complete, with the final touches added in 1956. Considered a wonder of modern architecture, the structure sits on a twin-pinnacled ridge, towering over the landscape from a height of about 75 m (250 ft). Sparsely adorned inside, the building contains a few benches hugging the angular walls, two rows of pews in the center, and floor-to-ceiling windows behind the altar. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the steep climb from the parking lot. Add Chapel of the Holy Cross to your Sedona travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Sedona day trip planning website.
Chapel of the Holy Cross reviews
-
Beautiful and peaceful. People showed respect to the area and the meaning. Inside was peaceful and some what dark. There is a gift shop downstairs. The parking is tight and the walk up is steep. We..... more
Beautiful and peaceful. People showed respect to the area and the meaning. Inside was peaceful and some what dark. There is a gift shop downstairs. The parking is tight and the walk up is steep. We..... more »
-
We specifically attended the 5 pm Taize Service only held on Mondays. The church community was very welcoming. Participation in the Taize service was spiritually moving. The chapel is small, but...
We specifically attended the 5 pm Taize Service only held on Mondays. The church community was very welcoming. Participation in the Taize service was spiritually moving. The chapel is small, but... more »
-
This is a fascinating church! We parked at the bottom, in the first lot, which gave us a great view of the front of the church. There were 2 men in golf carts, giving rides to the top for tips, which were thankful for in the heat. The church itself is small, but beautiful, with amazing scenery surrounding it. I would love to return for a mass sometime. I would highly recommend this.
-
Beautiful views surrounded by red mountains of rock.The chapel is a triumph of architecture in its simplicity and beauty building around the the perfect spots. I sense a feeling of holy and joy upon entering the church . I am not a Catholic but would still highly recommend fighting the crowds to see and experience the glory of the chapel. Outside is breath taking views filled with fresh air, i highly recommend packing extra water bottle or two and apply sun screen before visiting because the sun light can be a pretty hot.
Plan your trip to Sedona
best routes and schedules
Popular things to do in Sedona
Side trips from Sedona
Trails in Sedona
Hidden gems in Sedona
Shopping in Sedona
Nearby attractions in Sedona
Trips in Chapel of the Holy Cross by other users
60 days in United States
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Yosemite National Park
Sedona
Grand Canyon National Park
43 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Las Vegas
Sedona
Phoenix
15 days in United States
BY A USER FROM FRANCE
Denver
Colorado Springs
Taos
15 days in United States
BY A USER FROM FRANCE
Salt Lake City
Capitol Reef National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
25 days in Yosemite National Park, Salt Lake City & Arizona
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Yosemite National Park
Salt Lake City
Grand Canyon National Park
32 days in Texas, New Mexico & Arizona
BY A USER FROM URUGUAY
Houston
Dallas
Taos