Relaxing just walking around the trails but seeing the giant cross is breathtaking. When the sun is shining and you have blue skies it is especially nice. When we are in the area my elementary age kids beg to come here. They enjoy the walking on the trails and walking under the cross. Even if you are not religious this is a nice (and free) spot to go. read more

Beautiful cross nestled in the middle of a forested area with the Catholic Church next to it. The actual church background behind the altar overlooks the cross. So peaceful and calming. read more

Cross In the Woods - Churches Near Me - Indian River, Michigan

Beautiful church and shrine. Really a lovely place to meditate and reflect. This spot is free, but they do take donations. They have many mass times available. I would definitely like to catch a mass next time I am in town. They also have a free Doll museum as well that was quite interesting. Lovely staff at the gift shop. Definitely a must stop! read more

Cross In the Woods - Churches Near Me - Indian River, Michigan

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While on a road trip to Mackinac Island, our cousin insisted that we stop by Cross In the Woods located at Indian River, Michigan. So Happy that she brought us here!! The Cross in the Woods is a Catholic Shrine. You do not have to be a Catholic in order to enjoy this beautiful and peaceful place. It is located in a Gorgeous Natural Setting!! We arrived early on a weekday morning. The grounds of this lovely property are open every single day from dusk to dawn. There is much to see and explore at Cross in the Woods. There is a chapel where their indoor masses take place, a gift shop, a doll museum, and seven shrines on the property to see. I visited a couple of the shrines to have a moment of reflection and prayer. The largest Crucifix in the world is here at Cross in the Woods. This Crucifix with the woods all around is truly an Awe-Inspiring Beauty to Behold!! The cross is made from a redwood tree. "The Man on the Cross" is the title of the sculpture of the crucified Christ. The sculpture weighs seven tons, and it is 28 feet from head to toe. Highly recommend dropping by the Cross in the Woods if you ever find yourself in this part of the country. read more

I was able to stop here for an hour to enjoy the beautiful and mostly spiritual place in Michigan on October 22, 2019. Then 30 minutes in the Gift Shop for prayer cards and pricing on a statue. The bronze cross is located in the back area of the property near the woods and is made from a California Redwood Tree that started its growth in July 1952 in San Francisco. It arrived at the Pioneer Log Cabin Lumber in Roscommon MI on November 1, 1953. Then the cross was erected on August 5, 1954. The Height is 55 feet and the above mound is 77 feet. The width is 22 feet and the Weight is 14 tons. www.crossinthewoods.com I certainly enjoyed this National Shrine of Cross in the Woods while walking along many guided paths. I was pleased and honored to view the stations of the cross and take in many more visions and photos to add to my vacation list. *Note that throughout the walking paths are "Benches" to sit on to rest or use for one's prayer and thought time! Some have a memory plaque attached from a donation. There is a Shrine Gift Shop on the property with a selection of many faith religious medals, pictures, inspirational reading material, statues, rosaries and gifts especially for those celebrating a Holy Sacrament. Many items are fragile and breakable therefore caution while shopping with infants or small young children and strollers are not permitted inside. According to their pamphlet and map about the property, the "Cross in the Woods Shrine" displays: Holy Stairs, St. Francis Shrine, Divine Mercy Shrine, Outdoor Sanctuary, Our Lady of the Highway, Fr. Michael McGivney Memorial, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, St. Peregrine, Holy Family, Family Center near the Beautiful Church with Stained Glass, Hall of Saints Candles at entrance, and the Stations of the Cross Walkway outdoors. This place is also handicapp accessible for the disabled. There is a parish office which was open to chat briefly with an employee who was kind enough to give me a history pamphlet of the Cross in the Woods and a weekly Parish bulletin. Inside and outside are well maintained Bathrooms and picnic table areas near the Gift Shop. There's a large parking lot on the south side of M-68 Highway. in conclusion I was able to take home a current church bulletin to read in quoting their Parish Mission Statement: "We, the parishioners of the Cross in the Woods parish-shrine, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are dedicated to preserve, live and proclaim the Good News. As a sacramental people we are committed to Welcome All into Christ's presence among us. Our ministry is one of evangelizing hospitality, and providing an atmosphere of reverence and peace." If you are resident of Michigan or a tourist in route up north to Traverse City, Mackinaw City or the Upper Peninsula, definitely stop at this pilgrimage location of history. Your inner body and soul can be renewed with much Peace in the Mind And Of Deep Love Of The Heart! :-) 8/1/2020 Review read more

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Quiet repose... Whether you're religious (regardless of denomination, faith, etc) or not at all, the Cross in the Woods is at the very least a nice tourist spot to stop off at while traveling through Northern Michigan. It's more than a church, more than a park, and more than a tourist destination. Located in Indian River, the grounds are tranquil, perfect for a quiet walk and quiet reflection. I've been going up here to see the bronze crucifix since I was a little kid with my family. I used to be so curious when I was a tot as to how that big crucifix (one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, I believe) was erected. I always thought it was pretty and I still do, despite my overall lack of interest in most organized religion. Like I said, I'm not at all religious, never have been, but it's an interesting sight to see. There are statues and monuments dotting the grounds, as well as a church building and outdoor pews. Marble steps lead the way to the crucifix. Some of the most beautiful statues anywhere can be found here, even if organized religion isn't your thing. The beauty of the surrounding area is breathtaking. It's as much a work of art as it is a place of worship. Whether you're communing with nature or a higher power is irrelevant. It's a lovely spot to just stop for awhile and take it all in. There's just something metaphysical about this place. Very transcendental and zen. Call it spirituality, call it whatever you like, but whatever it is, it's a nice little spot to think and gather your thoughts, if only momentarily. My husband and I stopped in for a few minutes reprieve from what seemed like endless driving when we took a vacation to Northern Michigan a few weeks ago. Indeed, it was still just as transfixing as ever. Some things never change, despite the world around us. If you're feeling pensive and in the area, stop in for a couple of minutes and check out the grounds. There are marked walking paths and the scenery is about as tranquil as it gets. Stay awhile, maybe reflect on life and take in the enviable scenery. In other words, if you have some deep thinking to do, this would be a good spot to get out of the car and clear your head. The grounds are always beautiful, regardless of season, but I enjoy going when the grounds are lush and green, preferably when there isn't a noticeable chill in the air. Free admission. Plentiful parking. read more

Cross In the Woods - Cross in the Woods chapel building. - Churches Near Me - Indian River, Michigan

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What a beautiful and spiritual place. I had goosebumps the entire time. I would love to attend a service outside someday. The cross is absolutely beautiful and I loved that you could walk all the way up to it. The gardens and statues surrounding are also amazing and well kept. If you are anywhere near this area it is absolutely worth a visit. read more

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Right off I-75 below the bridge, it's a quick stop. There are several statues and of course the giant cross. There is parking across the street if it gets full. read more

This is a gorgeous place to stop by if you're up north or just passing through. The bronze crucifix is really a sight to behold. I bet it's even more beautiful in the fall. The church is nestled in the back with big windows. Mass is held on the weekends, and there are wooden pews outside if you'd like to just sit and gaze, or when they have an outside mass service. There are marble steps to climb up to the cross also. It is free to walk around, there are beautiful statues everywhere, the 12 stations of the cross and you can donate and "light" a candle. The ambiance is calm and warm. It was beautiful. read more

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Cross in the woods, Indian River MI Nice place to stop if you're in the area, or headed up north etc. You don't have to be religious to stop by, take in the scenery, or say a prayer for someone in need. Several people just walk around, it's in a wooded area, with stations of the cross, and an inside church also I believe. There is no entrance fee, just park and walk around. read more

Cross In the Woods - Churches Near Me - Indian River, Michigan

I love this place. A great place up north in MI's lower peninsula. A great place to get away to connect with God. Very family friendly. Highly recommend visiting next time you head to the UP or Mackinaw. read more

A must go! It was a fantastic catholic mass and since it's warm now (we went memorial weekend), the mass was outside in front of the big cross. The gift shop has anything you could ever want as far as religious gifts and mementos. The mass itself was enjoyable and you should definitely stop in if you're in the general area. read more

This is the largest bronze crucifix in the world, and is a national monument. I visited 5 years ago, walked the 28 marble steps on my knees at 60 years old. This time I am 65, and again walked those marble stairs, (forbidden to walk using your feet), all the way up to see Jesus at the top. The super moment of this pilgrimage, is when you get to the top and begin to get up, look up at the statue, and Jesus seems to be looking right down at you, eyeball to eyeball. It's a little creepy, but also a very powerful moment. I want to try this again when I'm 70 years old, even thought my knees are in terrible shape. I bet I can do it again. We also went in the gift shop, purchased a bunch of cool stuff at very low cost, (great gifts for the family). This "Cross in the Woods", is located only a mile or two off of Interstate 75, just south of the big bridge at the small town of Indian River. I give this national monument a five rating, due to the powerful cross with Christ on it, as well as the gift shop, the Stations of the Cross, and even for lighting a candle for a loved one. Attending an outside mass here would be a nice experience too. We were there around 7 in the morning and probably the first one's to visit. By the time we left, the main parking lot was 3/4 full, and a bus had just arrived. Plenty of parking across the street or in an extended parking lot. This is a must stop for everyone, Catholic, religious, or not. read more

Very neat place. No cost to enter, just park and walk in. During the nicer months they hold church service outside (weather permitting). read more

Cross In the Woods - Churches Near Me - Indian River, Michigan