Chapel of the Holy Cross

Built in 1956 and designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Chapel of the Holy Cross protrudes from the red rock above Sedona, providing visitors with stellar vistas of the area. The chapel features huge windows that frame the verdant valley and distant desert landscapes. Illuminated by sunshine, the altar’s large crucifix is especially impressive. Rest on one of the plentiful pews to enjoy the views.

Many private and small-group tours of Sedona stop at the chapel. For a truly unique perspective, book a scenic helicopter tour of the spectacular area.

• The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a must for architecture enthusiasts and first-time visitors to Sedona.

• Admittance to the chapel is free, though donations are welcome.

• An on-site gift shop has religious items for sale.

• Please do not bring food, drink, or pets into the chapel.

• The chapel is accessible to wheelchair users, though the gift shop is not. Accessible parking is available, though the ramp up to the church itself is steep.

The chapel is about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) from downtown Sedona. Take Highway 179 south to Chapel Road. There is parking close to the chapel, so you can forego the parking spaces farther down the road if you arrive early in the day, before the crowds. From the nearby parking spots, it is a short walk up a winding walkway to the chapel. You can also get there by hiking the 1.3-mile (2.1-kilometer) Chapel of the Holy Cross Trail.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open from 9am to 5pm daily except for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Plan to arrive soon after the chapel opens to avoid the midday crowds. Sedona is lovely year-round, but top times to visit are March to May, when the temperatures are warm and wildflowers are in bloom, and September to November.

A Taizé prayer service takes place every Monday at 5pm, and arrangements can be made for groups to celebrate Mass during the week. In addition, the chapel hosts weddings during fall and spring on Tuesday through Friday.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona was built into the red rocks beginning in 1954 and was finished in 1956. The chapel is a Roman Catholic church that was built by a local rancher who was inspired by the Empire State Building.

No, there isn’t a fee to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross or to park there. You can make purchases in the gift shop and pay to light candles inside the chapel. It’s a sacred place to Catholics, so yearly candles can be purchased.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open seven days a week, usually from 9am until 5pm, with the last entrance allowed about 15 minutes before closing. Give yourself time to explore the beauty of the chapel’s interior, as well as the gift shop, during your visit.

Yes and no—there are no guided tours offered of just Sedona’s Chapel of the Holy Cross; however, many visitors book a Sedona day tour or sightseeing tour that stops at the chapel and gives them free time to explore. You also can visit the chapel independently.

Yes, there are religious services held at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona. Typically, on Wednesdays and Fridays there is adoration from 12pm until 3pm, confession from 1pm until 3pm, and mass at 3pm. There is also usually a prayer service on Monday nights.

Yes, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is wheelchair accessible inside the chapel itself. Keep in mind that the ramp up to the church is steep, so someone in a wheelchair might prefer some help from a family member or friend. The gift shop cannot accommodate those in wheelchairs.