Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel is a small interdenominational Christian chapel set in the wooded hills of the Ozark Mountains just outside of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This ethereal structure, designed by architect E. Fay Jones, has been a spiritual pilgrimage site and a source of inspiration for countless visitors since its completion in 1980. 

The story of Thorncrown Chapel begins with Jim Reed, a former schoolteacher, who purchased the wooded land in Arkansas in the 1970s to build a retirement home. Impressed and inspired by the rugged natural beauty of the surrounding Ozark Mountains, Reed decided to build a place where everyone was welcome. He approached architect E. Fay Jones, a disciple of the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright, to design a chapel that would blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings.

The result is a breathtaking, 48-foot-tall glass and wood structure that seems to float among the trees. The chapel's skeleton comprises a series of intricate, diamond-shaped trusses, with 425 windows enclosing the space, allowing sunlight to filter through the surrounding forest and create a celestial play of light and shadow within the chapel.

To minimize the environmental impact, Jones used locally sourced materials, such as the native flagstone flooring and the pressure-treated Southern pine for the framework. The structure itself was built with minimal disturbance to the site, preserving the natural beauty that inspired its creation.

The chapel is open all year, and hosts a number of events such as weddings, memorials, and even an interdenominational service on Sunday mornings. Most of the time, however, it's just open for people to visit. When you walk in, you will hear gentle instrumental renditions of familiar hymns on a quiet loop. Most visitors take a seat and spend some time in prayer, meditation, or just in contemplation of the beautiful surrounding nature.

It was still cold and wintery when we visited, but during the spring and summer months, the chapel is surrounded by thick green trees. I came here before during the summer, but visiting when the trees were still bare gave me a wonderful view of the surrounding area. It's a different experience!

Thorncrown Chapel was once named the 4th best building of the 20th century, and it's easy to see why. The Lloyd-Wright-esque architecture is beautiful, and it's an incredibly serene and contemplative place.