Tucked into the Ozark forest just outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas is an architectural treasure of wood and 6000 square feet of glass – the Thorncrown Chapel.

Faith-based travel is one of the popular activities in Eureka Springs, along with the arts, alternative healing and Harley riders (it’s a very unique little town.)

My own spiritual preferences tend to the quiet and reflective, so the famous local Great Passion Play outdoor drama under a 67 foot tall Christ of the Ozarks statue isn’t really my style.

I love the Sainte Chappelle-inspired Thorncrown, though.

Opened in 1980, it’s set into the surrounding trees in a thoughtful way by University of Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at the Taliesin Fellowship.

Jones called his creation “Ozark Gothic,”  but it soars 48 feet upward in the most fresh and modern way.

Sitting inside, you feel as though you’re in a lovely treehouse (and since we went at the end of the day, there were no crowds to mar contemplation.)

In between a 1901 spa treatment or maybe a antiques and craft fair in Eureka Springs, make time to pull off the road and enjoy some peaceful thinking time in this beautiful spot.

(Thorncrown Chapel is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is located on Highway 62 West three miles outside of Eureka Springs. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.)

Related posts:

1. Unexpected oasis: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
2. Five places to see US fall foliage outside of New England
3. Another dissolving landmark: coral reefs
4. Lourdes, France in Texas: the Hostyn Grotto

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Art and Art Museums, Sheila projects, US travel, travel books, travel stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.