A chapel made of glass in the middle of a beautiful forest! 6000 square feet, 425 windows, 48 feet high, 24 feet wide, 60 feet length. And also called Thorncrown Chapel located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This chapel, which houses the relic of the Thorncrown of Jesus Christ, has many special features.
Designed by E. Fay Jones and built in 1980, the chapel was inspired by the Gothic church of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The chapel is known as the Thorn Crown because it houses the thorn believed to have been worn by Christ.
A retired school teacher named Jim Reid bought the property in 1971. In the valley near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he wanted to build a chapel away from the city for meditation in the wilderness. He appointed architect E. Fay Jones was commissioned.
The chapel looks like an open-air structure as it is made of glass. But in reality, it is an enclosed air-conditioned place that can seat a hundred people. It is open daily from March to December with free admission. It is closed during January and February except for weddings and other special events. It was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Buildings that do not typically have a fifty-year heritage do not receive this designation. But within just 20 years of its construction, the chapel has earned its status because of its unique features.
Also, this chapel is among the 50 most unusual churches in the world. More than six million people have visited this place. In addition, more than 300 wedding ceremonies take place in the chapel each year. Even non-religious visitors openly admit to the peace and tranquillity inside the chapel. It helps people reflect a prayerful atmosphere and achieve peace of mind.