Chapel of the Holy Cross, Arizona

Chapel of the Holy Cross was built between 1954-1956. It was inspired and commissioned by a local Sculptor and Rancher named Marguerite Brunswig Staude.

Staude was inspired to build the church after seeing the newly constructed Empire State Building in New York. When their attempt to have one built in Budapest, Hungary went south due the outbreak of the second World War, it was decided that it would be best to build it in her native state of Arizona.

The chief designer was August K. Strotz and the project architect was Richard Hein. Both personnel were from the Anshen and Allen Firm. To obtain a permit, they were able to get one through assistance of Senator Barry Goldwater. Construction by the William Simpson Construction Company would take 18 months and at a cost of about $300,000. The chapel was finished in 1956.

Awarded by the American institute of Architects awarded the Chapel it’s honor in 1957.

A beautiful place to see and visit should you ever come to Sedona, Arizona. The views of the valley are amazing, and Church still does services a various time of the week should anyone be interested. The Chapel itself can seat 150 people. The walls of it are constructed with reinforced coarse-aggregate concrete. A thickness of 1 Ft.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011