Hereford, Arizona: 75-Foot-Tall Celtic Cross and 31-Foot-Tall Virgin Mary

Built not by the Catholic Church, but by a snowbird Illinois couple, Gerald and Patricia Chouinard, in the 1990s. Miraculously spared by the Monument Fire of 2011.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras

Address:: 10310 S. Twin Oaks Rd, Hereford, AZ
Directions:: Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras. About 8 miles south of Sierra Vista, AZ, off Hwy. 92 in Ash Canyon. South from Sierra Vista from intersection of Buffalo Soldier Trail and South Highway 92, 8-9 miles to Stone Ridge Road. Do not turn on Hereford Road. Look for the mile marker 333 on right side. The third right after mile marker 333 is Stone Ridge Road (look for the yellow fire truck sign, next right). Follow the hard surface road (Prince Placer Road) all the way to the entrance at Twin Oaks. Turn left at Twin Oaks into Shrine entrance. From Bisbee, look for the first street on left past Coronado National Monument Road, Stone Ridge Road. Turn left and follow the road to right as it turns into Prince Placer Road. Follow to the entrance at Twin Oaks.
Hours:: Daily 9-sunset (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 520-378-2950
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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75-Foot-Tall Celtic Cross and 31-Foot-Tall Virgin Mary

A wildfire swept through the Our Lady of the Sierras property on June 14, gutting the chapel and destroying Mary's Knoll, the Stations of the Cross, and the grotto. But the 75-foot-tall Celtic cross and the 31-foot tall Virgin Mary -- and her two accompanying angels -- survived. Owners Jerry and Pat Chouinard also escaped and have vowed to rebuild the property.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 06/17/2011]

Celtic Cross.

75 ft. Tall Celtic Cross

Very cool -- on the side of a mountain. A steep path from parking lot around the cross has 13 smaller crosses with relief etchings detailing Christ's crucifixion. There's a small chapel at the base of cross -- people were there on Sunday.

[todd kelley, 05/13/2010]

The big cross and big Mary statue are part of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras. Not a centuries-old landmark -- it was built in the late 1980s by millionaire Jerry Chouinard when his wife Pat began receiving visits from the Madonna.