Search
Close this search box.

Photo by National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

What began as an idea for a place of outdoor worship in the 1940’s turned into a project that now brings visitors to Indian River from around in the world: The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. This stunning 55′ x 22′ redwood cross, cut from one redwood tree, with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix is located on Calvary Hill near an outdoor sanctuary.

The Cross in the Woods is a Northern Michigan destination that brings more than 300,000 people a year to Indian River. Named a shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the beautifully landscaped complex near Burt Lake State Park includes the 250-seat Long House Chapel, 1,000 seat church, Holy stairs, and the shrines of Saint Francis, Our Lady of the Highway, St. Peregrine, and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

The Doll Museum includes more than 525 dolls and mannequins dressed in the appropriate religious habits of Diocesan clergy and more than 217 religious orders of priests, sisters, and brothers of North and South America.

The seven-ton bronze crucifix on the Cross is the work of famed Michigan sculptor Marshall Fredericks who spent more than four years creating the sculpture. The Cross was erected in 1954 and the Corpus was added in 1959. The cost for the figure of Christ created by Fredericks was $50,000. Fredericks donated his time on the project.

The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is open daily with worship services Monday-Friday at 8:30 am and 12 pm, Saturday at 4:30 pm, and Sunday at 8:30 am and 10:30 am.

Hours

Week Day Mass Times:

  • Tuesdays – 5:30pm
  • Wednesdays & Thursdays- 8:30am
  • Fridays – 12:00pm

Weekend Mass Times:

  • Sundays – 8:30am (always inside church)
  • Sundays – 10:30am (Summer: outside from Memorial Day to Labor Day weather permitting, Winter: inside)
  • Saturday – 4:30pm (Summer: outside from Memorial Day to Labor Day weather permitting, Winter: inside)

Church Hours

  • Summer – 7am-8pm
  • Winter – 7am-5pm

Gift Shop

  • Monday-Friday – 10am-3pm (Closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after)
  • Saturday – 10am-4:30pm
  • Sunday – 9:30-3:00pm

Doll Museum

  • Summer – 9am-6pm
  • Winter – 10am-3pm
For more information on the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, please contact:

The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

7078 M-68, Indian River, MI, 49749

(231) 238-8973

crossinthewoods.com

Scroll below for more articles about Activities and Attractions in Northern Michigan.
 

Explore Activities and Attractions of Northern Michigan

Searching for Petoskey Stones in Northern Michigan

Pet Friendly Places Up North

Why do people enjoy being up north so much? Find out what makes being up north feel special with our list of Northern Michigan specialties.

Cheboygan Opera House

Cheboygan Opera House

The elegantly restored Cheboygan Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that presents entertainment of many genres.

Charlevoix's Historical Museums

Charlevoix’s History Museums

The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.