Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel is a glass chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, distinguished by a wooden frame of 425 windows and native stone. The structure rises 48 feet (about 15 meters) among the trees, allowing daylight to fall through the transparent walls onto the seating inside.

Jim Reed, a former teacher, commissioned architect E. Fay Jones to design the building in 1979 and completed construction in 1980. The project finished after a short building phase with private funding.

The name refers to the crown of thorns from Christian tradition and connects the building to the wooded setting where it stands. Visitors experience a space that opens toward nature while inviting quiet reflection.

The chapel opens daily from March through December and entry is free with donations welcome. Paths to the building lead through the forest and require sturdy footwear.

All building materials were chosen so that two people could carry them through the forest without heavy machinery. This decision protected the surrounding trees and forest floor throughout the construction period.

Location: Carroll County

Inception: 1980

Architects: E. Fay Jones

Official opening: July 10, 1980

Architectural style: modern architecture, Prairie School architecture, Streamline Moderne

Website: http://thorncrown.com

GPS coordinates: 36.41694,-93.77028

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:50