Chapel of the Holy Cross, Catholic chapel in Sedona, United States.
Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Catholic chapel in Sedona, United States, built directly into the red rock cliffs. The interior holds 150 people and is accessed by a curved concrete ramp that follows the natural terrain.
Local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude commissioned the chapel in 1954 after decades of planning. Construction finished in 1956 at a cost of 300,000 dollars, with work designed to disturb the rock formations as little as possible.
The name refers to the nearly 90-foot iron cross mounted on the southwestern facade. Visitors can look through large glass windows onto the red rock formations and the valley below, connecting the interior with the surrounding desert.
Access is through a curved ramp that climbs steeply and may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility. The chapel sits in an elevated position and offers a wide view over the surrounding valleys and rock formations.
Construction crews moved about 25 tons of rock without using dynamite to protect the natural formations. The American Institute of Architects awarded the chapel an Award of Honor in 1957 for its integration with the site.
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