Arkansas' Striking Churches Good for Visitor's Spirits

Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

Vacations are supposed to be for rest and relaxation. In addition to resting your body, you can also revive your spirit by taking in some of The Natural State's most historic and striking churches. Bear in mind, there are numerous beautiful historic churches here, but not all of them are open to the public for tours. Also, it would be impossible to discuss them all, so here are some of the more unusual.

Perhaps the one of the most famous chapels in modern times is Thorncrown Chapel, situated deep in the Ozark woodlands just north of Eureka Springs. This striking glass and wood structure has been featured in numerous magazines and has won many architectural awards such as the American Institute of Architecture's Design of the Year Award for 1981 and the American Institute of Architecture's Design of the Decade Award for the 1980s. Since it opened in the summer of 1980, over four million people have visited this peaceful sanctuary.

Designed by world-renowned architect, Arkansas native E. Fay Jones, the soaring edifice of the chapel is almost entirely of glass, allowing visitors and worshipers to partake of the beautiful Ozark countryside. It is a 48-foot tall glass structure with 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass and is available for daily visitation, retreats and weddings. Called the most beautiful chapel in the world, the glass and steel wonder hides deep in a wooded setting. There is no admission but donations are gratefully accepted for upkeep on this non-denominational chapel.

Also in Eureka is a church so well-known, Mr. Ripley included it in his famous "Believe It or Not" column. Nestled half-way down a mountainside behind the Crescent Hotel and Spa, St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church made the list because of its unusual entrance. Instead of entering the facility through the doors, you have to first enter through the bell tower.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and built in 1904, this house of worship is an interesting example of the blending of three types of architectural design: Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic. The walkway that leads from the Bell Tower to the sanctuary is lined with hand-carved marble stations of the cross. The Rotunda, or dome, is Byzantine in style and is fashioned after the Church of St. Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.

The church and its gardens are maintained from the proceeds of the St. Elizabeth Gift Shop, which is located on the lower level of the Church.

About 30 miles to the west is another impressive E. Fay Jones structure, the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel at Bella Vista. Cooper Chapel has more of a Gothic look than Thorncrown does, with 15 main arches reaching skyward. Inside each main arch are three or four smaller arches, creating the look of seemingly endless arches. The major wood used in construction is redwood, while oak doors, complete with Gothic arch, greet worshipers and visitors. Like Thorncrown, the Cooper Chapel is located in woodlands of oak and pine. The non-denominational church is popular for weddings, family reunion services, memorial services and concerts.

High atop St. Mary's Mountain in the heart of Arkansas' wine country at Altus, is St. Mary's Catholic Church, considered by many to be the most remarkable building in Franklin County. The church was dedicated in 1902 and is made of native sandstone in Roman Basilical style of architecture. The parish is known for its striking stained-glass windows, bells, pipe organ, and original paintings by German artist, Fridolin Fuchs. The murals feature gold leaf and faces of local residents who served as models. The National Register of Historic Places-listed structure contains 29 stained-glass windows and recently underwent a half-million dollar renovation.

Over in the east central part of the state in Augusta townspeople have banded together and preserved a pre-Civil War church that now serves as a local museum and cultural center. The old Augusta Presbyterian Church, with its impressive Gothic Revival architecture, served the area from the 1860s until 1971, when the parish was dissolved and the property given to the city. Construction was started in 1861, but not finished until 10 years later. It is unclear what stage the building was in during the Civil War, but it is believed services were conducted there periodically.

The newly restored interior is highlighted by an ornate plaster ceiling and wall decor that features art moldings, stained-glass windows, Gothic doors and rich woodwork. The church's vintage pump organ was located, refurbished and returned to its proper place at the front of the sanctuary. And, the original pulpit has also been restored.

Historic churches play an important role in the pioneer and frontier restorations that are found in Arkansas. At the Stuttgart Agricultural Museum you'll find a little church is a two-thirds scaled replica of one that existed in the days of the original 1880s German Lutheran settlers. In the Mountain Home area is Mountain Village 1890, where an 1868 non-denominational church is located on the highest ground in the village. This was a frontier tradition so members of the community had to look up at the church whenever they came to town. It also gave the impression that the church was watching over the town. Inside the little church there is an 1882 German organ and the original pulpit. At Old Washington Historic State Park in southwest Arkansas, there are two historic churches, both of which still hold services today. The 1861 Methodist Church is a classic example of a small frame Greek Revival style with steeple. During the Civil War, this building also served as a Confederate hospital. The Presbyterian Church dates to 1889 and is built in the Carpenter-Gothic architectural style. The Baptist Church, whose original building dated to the Civil War, had to be rebuilt after being destroyed in a 1946 tornado. The original structure also served as a Civil War hospital. As with the other two, the Baptist church still holds services.

Remember, this is just a sampling of the remarkable churches around The Natural State. For more information on Arkansas, be sure and visit our web site: http://www.Arkansas.com.