Chapel

This country offers so much beauty and people from all walks of life inspire and turn your head in awe.

Jim Reed purchased a plot of land near his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1971. The views of the Ozark hills were simply amazing and Jim thought here he would build his retirement home. But people kept trespassing on the land to admire the views. Instead of keeping them out, he invited them in.

His wife and he thought that maybe those trekking up for the views might want a place to sit down and relax. So with the help of architect E. Fay Jones, the Thorncrown Chapel was realized. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Funds began to run out and Jim thought it would never be completed. In Jim’s own words he said, “I am not proud of the fact, but the first time I ever got down on my knees was on the chapel floor. I prayed more seriously than ever before. All the trials and tribulations gave me the humility to get on my knees.”

Soon, a woman from Illinois loaned him the funds he needed and on July 10, 1980, the chapel opened to the public. Since then millions of people have visited this award winning architectural marvel. From the Thorncrown Chapel’s website, “The Purpose of the chapel is not to point to what a great man did for God; its story is about what a great God did for a man He loved. This is the plot and potential of everybody’s story. We hope you would encounter not just a beautiful building, but the God who longs to fill your life with the beauty of His presence.”

Beauty indeed. Here are some pictures.