Culture · Sedona

Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of Sedona's most striking landmarks — a Roman Catholic chapel built directly into the red rock buttes just south of town, in the Coconino National Forest. Completed in the mid-1950s, it was commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and designed with architects from the firm Anshen & Allen. A soaring cross anchors its glass front, and the whole structure seems to grow out of the rock rather than sit on top of it.

It's free to visit and open to people of every background — many come simply for the architecture and the setting. The short but noticeably steep walkway up from the parking area leads to the chapel itself, where the tall windows frame a sweeping view back over the valley and its formations. Inside it's quiet and contemplative; it's an active place of prayer, so a respectful, low-key visit is the norm.

Parking at the chapel is limited and can back up midday, so aim for early morning or later in the afternoon, when the light on the surrounding rock is at its best. From most Sedona rentals it's a quick drive, and it pairs naturally with a stop at nearby Bell Rock or a meal in the Village of Oak Creek.