CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS

For more than twenty five years Marguerite Brun-swig Staude, sculptress and philanthropist, has nurtured a dream of compelling vitality:-a dream to build a Catholic shrine, modern in feeling, functional in design. In her heart she feels that God is contemporary as the fleeting moment of here and now and should be worshipped in surround-ings expressing the artistic creation of contemporary man. This dream of a quarter of a century has reached fruition. A few miles southeast of Sedona, Arizona, in Oak Creek Canyon, stands the Chapel of the Holy Cross, now a reality. Here in the heart of the red rock country nature has welcomed this expression of undieing faith in God amid the sanctity of her own mysteries. The Chapel rises from the living earth in the shape of a huge concrete cross, ninety feet high, cradled between two statuesque spurs of red sandstone. The Chapel rests on its lofty perch and is approached from the parking space below by a beautifully curved narrow ramp. The walls of the Chapel are slabs of concrete mixed with an aggregate of red stone which gives the exterior a feeling of rigid severity. From inside one has a sense of warmth, because of the startling view through the tinted glass windows which enclose the cross. The benches of the Shrine face the cross which forms one end of the structure and enables one to see the beautiful vista of rolling hills with Bell and Courthouse Rocks furnishing a spectacular backdrop.

The crucifix which is mounted on the interior surface of the cross has undoubtedly caused the greatest comment. Mr. Keith Monroe designed it and was also the sculptor. It is fifteen feet high and is fashioned of black metal in a manner to give the body a hollow empty look. To many observers it is cold, and austere, certainly not in the style of Christ as represented in most Catholic churches. To others, it is an expression of the deep and tragic suffering of Our Saviour.

The design of this Chapel is certainly a distinct break with tradition. It has caused heated discussion and considerable controversy. Visitors are quick to express themselves and it is interesting to note a few typical opinions, both pro and con. The following four quotations are taken from the guest book.

"The Chapel is beautiful. I also think the crucifix is beautiful as it gives me the feeling of the terrific agony our Lord went through for us."

"The Corpus denies the resurrection of Our Redeemer. Christ's body was never in such a state of decay."

"The view around is beautiful but not the Chapel. The cross is atrocious."

"Magnificent in concept and execution. A shrine to live in the heart of the wayfarer as long as the memory of this superb setting lives."

The progressive efforts of man have always been met with opposition. The avant-garde must bear the brunt of attacks from the conservatives. But the creative instincts of man run deep. Much thought, consideration and philosophy have gone into this Chapel on the mount. Mrs. Staude conceived the idea of building the Chapel in Oak Creek Canyon as she and her husband have owned a ranch in this beautiful country for many years. They found an ideal site near their ranch as solid as the "Rock of Peter." They employed the services of the architectural firm of Ashen and Allen. The ground breaking ceremony took place in 1955 and the dedication services came a year later. We must look upon this Chapel as an embodiment of the artistic and soul-searching efforts of our fellow man. We may rejoice that we can accept or reject and certainly pass judgement. Few will be without an opinion. This is a healthy attitude and Sedona is fortunate in having this Chapel in its midst.

The Chapel is open to all regardless of creed and it is the hope of its donors that it may come to life in the souls of men and thus become a living reality. The Chapel is open daily to the public and Catholic services are held every Sunday morning under the direction of Rev. Father John Driscoll. The parish is in the diocese of Bishop Bernard T. Espelage.