Yarnell, Arizona: Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains

A Catholic shrine with Stations of the Cross statues made of concrete in 1939 by starving folk artist Felix Lucero, who lived under a bridge in Tucson. Burned by a wildfire in 2013, but the statues still stand.

Address:: Shrine Rd, Yarnell, AZ
Directions:: Take Hwy 89 to downtown Yarnell, then turn west at the small blue signs onto Shrine Rd and drive up the hill. Shrine Rd is between Post St. and Cherry Lane/Tabletop Way.
Admission:: Donations needed.

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Last Supper Picnic photo op.

Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains

A very nice grotto in the mountains a shrine to Saint Joseph. It should be a place of quiet reflection, when we visited it was full of noisy screaming people.

[Joe, 10/02/2023]

A hand lettered sign advises visitors to be quiet and mindful of "those who are here for prayer and meditation." Show respect at the (unofficial) Last Supper Picnic photo op...

Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains

It's worth an optional donation, although there is no admission charge. There is a path to follow and plaques to read among lifesize statues of St. Joseph with carpenter's tools, the Last Supper, the stations of the cross, crucifixion, resurrection, etc., all made of concrete. It was built over several years by a guy who was "divinely inspired" among oak trees and granite boulders in the foothills a few blocks west of Yarnell, off highway 89. There is a sign on the highway. It is in a constant state of expansion. There are rest rooms, nearby picnic area, and a gift shop(?) and information center. Open during daylight hours.

Of interest even to a godless heathen such as myself. A peaceful pause in the shade.

[Wendy Grady, 05/02/1999]

Built by the same starving artist who created the Garden of Gethsemane in Tucson.