There is a memorable site that visitors will often see on their way to Sedona, Arizona. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a large, tall building nestled in a 1,000-ft cliffside. The building is prominent, and the built-in cross over its tall windows is just as unforgettable. This is a must-see for anyone, regardless of religious views, visiting Sedona. Here is a closer look at one of many sites to see in Sedona:
The Chapel
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was inspired by the Empire State Building, and Marguerite Brunswig Staude worked for about 20 years to have it completed. Due to the start of World War II, Marguerite changed her original plans of building the chapel in Hungary to building it in her native Arizona. The chapel was eventually completed in 1956 and rises 70 feet tall and out of a brilliant, redrock cliff. The chapel was built as a Catholic church for the Saint John Vianney Parish—and it is currently run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix—but it has become a place for anyone to visit and enjoy the calming presence of the surrounding location. The chapel was recently, in 2007, named a Man-Made Wonder of Arizona.
The Community
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is located about four miles away from the center of Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is a popular tourist location for several reasons. It hosts an extensive art community that features all kinds of handmade art, sculptures, jewelry, and furniture. It also features beautiful scenery with red sandstone mountains and plateaus. Sedona is also well-known as a spiritual place where people come to explore popular New Age philosophies and experiences such as the Sedona vortices.
