The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of Sedona’s most iconic landmarks, a striking Roman Catholic chapel built directly into the red rock buttes, completed in 1956. With its 90-foot iron cross, breathtaking views over the Verde Valley, and architecture that seems to rise organically from the cliffs, the Chapel is consistently ranked among Sedona’s top attractions and welcomes nearly one million visitors each year.
About the Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross was inspired and commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. After originally attempting to build a similar church in Hungary in the 1930s, a plan abandoned at the outbreak of World War II, Staude turned to her native Arizona. She wanted to prove that sacred architecture could be contemporary without losing its soul.
Built between 1954 and 1956 by William Simpson Construction Company, the Chapel rises 200 feet above the valley floor on a spur of red Schnebly Hill sandstone, within the Coconino National Forest. The defining feature is a 90-foot iron cross on the southwestern wall, which serves both aesthetic and structural purposes. Inside, the cross holds the altar and Corpus.
The Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 and was voted one of the Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona by Arizonans in 2007. It remains under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, with ministry conducted by St. John Vianney Parish in Sedona.
Visitor Information
Address: 780 Chapel Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 282-4069
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:45 PM)
Closed: Christmas and Easter
Admission: Free (donations welcomed and support maintenance)
Gift Shop: Daily 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (located on the lower floor, run by St. John Vianney Catholic Church)
Parking: Free but very limited (only 45 spaces; arrive early or late for best chance)
How to Get There
From the intersection of Highway 89A and Highway 179 (Sedona’s “Y”), drive south on Highway 179 for approximately 4 miles, then turn left onto Chapel Road. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is located at the end of Chapel Road. The Chapel is also a featured stop along the Red Rock Scenic Byway.
Mass & Religious Services
- Sunday Mass: 5:00 PM
- Taizé Prayer: Mondays at 5:00 PM
- Adoration: Wednesdays & Fridays, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Confession: Wednesdays & Fridays, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Mass: Wednesdays & Fridays at 3:00 PM
Mass schedules can change, call the chapel at (928) 282-4069 to confirm before your visit.
What to Expect on Your Visit
From the parking area, visitors walk up a long, curved concrete ramp to the chapel, approximately 0.1 miles uphill. Volunteers sometimes provide golf cart shuttles to the top, particularly helpful for visitors with mobility challenges. The walk takes most people just a few minutes, but is steep enough that comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Inside, the chapel is intentionally austere, no frescoes, no gilded altars, no excess ornamentation. The artwork is limited and deliberate: a bronze Madonna at the entrance, a figure of Christ above the altar, and the extraordinary view through the floor-to-ceiling stained glass window. Plan to spend 15-30 minutes at the chapel itself, though many visitors linger longer for the views and reflection time.
Tips for Visiting
- Go early or late: The lot fills fast between 9 AM and 4 PM on weekends. Arrive at opening or in the last hour for fewer crowds and easier parking.
- Wear good shoes: The walk up is short but steep on textured concrete.
- No restrooms inside: Porta-potties are at the base of the hill.
- No food, drinks, or pets inside: Help maintain the chapel’s atmosphere.
- Photography is permitted: Inside the chapel, with quiet and discretion expected. The exterior is one of the most photographed spots in Arizona.
- Donations welcomed: While free to visit, donations support maintenance.
- Combine with Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock: Both are nearby on the Red Rock Scenic Byway and make for a great half-day itinerary.
Why the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Must-See in Sedona
If you only have time to visit one cultural site in Sedona, make it the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Few places in the American Southwest combine architectural significance, spiritual atmosphere, and natural drama at this scale. Whether you visit for the architecture, the views, the spiritual experience, or simply to understand why this small chapel has captured imaginations for nearly 70 years, the Chapel of the Holy Cross delivers something memorable.
Looking for more Sedona attractions? Visit our complete guide to things to do in Sedona for hiking, vortex sites, and more, updated by Sedona’s Best since 1992.