Places with Soul
7 sacred sites that will fill you with awe and wonder
A log cabin constructed from raw tree branches. A pilgrimage destination in the high desert. A '50s architectural gem covered with "scales."
These may not be the images that immediately come to mind when you think of houses of worship. But some of the most unusual sacred spots around the country are also some of the most remarkable. So come along with us on a journey to discover some truly unique spiritual destinations.
Salvation MountainNiland, California
This splashy outsider art structure in the desert of Southern California is a testament to how one man's faith can literally build a mountain: the 50-foot tall Salvation Mountain, that is, fashioned from local adobe and upwards of 100,000 gallons of paint.
Creator Leonard Knight has dedicated the last 24 years to building, decorating and caring for Salvation Mountain, which is covered from top to bottom with simple but beautifully rendered flowers, trees and birds along with scriptural passages and prayers.
At the heart of it all is Leonard's central message, sculpted and painted in giant letters: God Is Love. (Photo by Bob Sims)
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Comments
The chapel at Chimayo holds
The chapel at Chimayo holds special meaning for my husband and for me. During the summer of 2003 we embarked on a road trip to Sante Fe , NM and planned a day trip to Taos. A dear friend of our family had mentioned the chapel at Chimayo as a "must see" so we sought its remote location on our way to Taos. The day was clear and warm as we walked from where we had parked our car to the chapel. As we drew closer to it, the calm and quiet of a sacred space engulfed us. A church service was underway and we gazed at the primitive art on the walls of the chapel as we sat among the worshippers. We visited the special spot that has been the site of healings over the ages and went to our car to get a vessel to hold some of the healing dirt. We left feeling refreshed and thankful for the visit.
As our vacation continued my husband became ill and we ended up in Lubbock, TX where his sister lived and he was admitted to the hospital with a huge mass on his liver. We faced the diagnosis of liver cancer. It was at this time that the healing dirt of Chimayo provided a soothing and calming healing of our hearts and souls. Each night before I left the hospital, I rubbed the dirt on my husband's chest as we prayed for healing. At this time as we faced the unthinkable and yet were unsure of the type of cancer that he had, the Chimayo dirt was a tangible symbol for us of God's healing love and power. As more facts were revealed, my husband was diagnosed with lymphoma which the doctors assured us was very treatable. He began chemotheraphy and after nearly 5 weeks in Lubbock, we finally made the drive back home to Missouri. Once home, another dear friend surprised us with a photograph of the chapel at Chimayo which we proudly display on the wall of our bedroom where we can see it each night before we fall asleep.
My husband has been in remission for over 5 years now and we give thanks for the part that the chapel at Chimayo played in his healing. We know it was not coincidence that our trip and the visit to Chimayo unfolded at the same time we faced such unexpected and unsettling news. We will be forever grateful for the experience at Chimayo and the lasting peace that we feel from it.
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