Thorncrown Chapel

The chapel grew from the vision of Jim Reed, a retired schoolteacher who had bought the wooded Ozark hillside intending to build a home. Struck by how many travelers stopped to admire the view from his land, he conceived instead of building a glass chapel where people could pause and take in the beauty of the forest, a quiet place open to all.

To realize the idea he turned to E. Fay Jones, an Arkansas architect who had studied under and been influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. What Jones designed exceeded anyone's expectations, transforming a modest wish into a masterpiece that would make the little chapel in the woods famous far beyond Arkansas.

Thorncrown is built almost entirely of wood and glass, standing more than forty feet tall with hundreds of windows and a lattice of crisscrossing wooden trusses overhead. Jones designed it so that no structural piece was too large to be carried by hand along the forest path, meaning the entire chapel could be built without heavy machinery disturbing the woods around it, an act of respect for the setting.

The effect from inside is extraordinary. Light filters through the glass walls and the web of timber above, so that the boundary between the chapel and the forest all but disappears. The architecture has earned some of the highest honors in the profession, and it is frequently ranked among the greatest American buildings of the twentieth century, a rare distinction for so small and quiet a structure.

Though it is a working chapel that holds services, Thorncrown welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds to come simply to sit, look, and reflect. The atmosphere inside is hushed and contemplative, and many people find the combination of architecture, light, and forest deeply moving regardless of their beliefs.

The chapel has also become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the region, its beauty making it a dream setting for ceremonies. Visitors are asked to be quiet and respectful, and the chapel occasionally closes for weddings or private events, so it is wise to check open hours before making the drive, especially in busier seasons.

The chapel sits just outside Eureka Springs, one of the most distinctive towns in the Ozarks, a Victorian-era resort built into steep hillsides around dozens of springs once believed to have healing powers. Its winding streets are lined with well-preserved nineteenth-century buildings, art galleries, historic inns, and shops, and it has long been a haven for artists and travelers seeking something offbeat.

The surrounding Ozark hills are dense with forest, hollows, and clear streams, and the area holds other notable sights, from historic gardens and springs to the region's many overlooks. A visit to Thorncrown pairs naturally with time in Eureka Springs, making this corner of the Ozarks a rewarding destination in its own right.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.