 Nestled in a woodland setting, Thorncrown Chapel rises forty-eight feet into the Ozark sky. This magnificent wooden structure contains 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. It sits atop over 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone. The chapel's simple design and majestic beauty combine to make it what critics have called "one of the finest religious spaces of modern times."
Thorncrown was the dream of retired school teacher, Jim Reed. In 1978 Jim enlisted the help of renowned architect E. Fay Jones to design a place of worship for the visitors to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The result was a forty-eight foot tall wooden structure with 425 windows.
Since the chapel opened in 1980, over five million people have visited this woodland sanctuary. It has won numerous architectural awards such as the American Institute of Architecture's Design of the Year Award for 1981 and the American Institute of Architecture's Design of the Decade Award for the 1980's.
Members of the American Institute of Architects placed Thorncrown Chapel
fourth on its list of the top buildings of the twentieth century.
Sunday Services
Sunday services are held at 9:00 and 11:00am April through the third week in December. Services last approximately one hour and include music and preaching. All people are welcome.
Hours
Thorncrown Chapel is open the following hours:
April through November - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
March and December - 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed January and February except for weddings and other special events.
Special Services and Retreats
Church groups and Christian organizations may use the Thorncrown Worship center for retreats and special events. For more information call (479) 253-7401.
Weddings
Thorncrown Chapel and the Worship Center may be reserved for your wedding. Thorncrown Chapel only provides the facilities and a minister for your wedding. However, you may desire a photographer, flowers, candelabras, musicians, minister (if staff minister is not used), reception, rehearsal dinners etc. These are all available locally in Eureka Springs.
To Schedule your Wedding:
Early notice is helpful, especially during the summer months. From April 1st through October 31st weddings may be held either before the chapel opens to the public in the morning or after it closes in the afternoon. Chapel hours vary from month to month. Please call to schedule the time for your wedding. From November 1st through March 31st your wedding may be scheduled during any time of the day. (From April through November, the Worship Center is available most any time of the day or the evening depending on the size of the wedding.)
Contact
E-mail: thorncrown@thorncrown.com
Call: (479) 253-7401
Write: Thorncrown Chapel, 12968 HWY 62 West, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
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