You’re driving up I-75, past the cherry orchards of Traverse City and the bait shops of Gaylord, when you see the sign for Indian River. Most people just keep driving. They're focused on the Mackinac Bridge or a pasty shop in St. Ignace. But if you pull off at exit 310, you’ll find something that honestly feels a little impossible. Deep in the trees sits a 55-foot-tall redwood cross. It's not just a local landmark; it's a massive, seven-ton bronze statement of peace that draws over 300,000 people a year to a town with a population of barely 2,000.
The cross in the woods Michigan is officially known as the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. It isn't just a big statue for roadside tourists. It’s a masterclass in mid-century design, a massive engineering feat, and a place where you can find a museum dedicated to nuns’ dolls. Yes, you read that right.
Why the Cross in the Woods Michigan Isn't Your Average Roadside Attraction
A lot of people assume this was built centuries ago or that it's just a simple wooden structure. It's actually much more complex. The cross itself was carved from a single redwood tree. Think about that for a second. One tree from Oregon, shipped across the country on a flatbed rail car in 1952. It stands 55 feet high and 22 feet wide.
But the real story is "The Man on the Cross." That's the name given to the bronze figure of Jesus by the sculptor Marshall Fredericks. If you live in Michigan, you know Fredericks. He’s the guy who did the "Spirit of Detroit" downtown.
Fredericks was a bit of a rebel with this project. Usually, a crucifix shows a lot of agony—blood, thorns, the whole nine yards. Fredericks didn't want that. He wanted a face that showed "great peace and strength." He actually got special permission from the Vatican to leave out the crown of thorns and the wound in the side.
The result is a figure that looks more like he's exhaling than suffering. It's 28 feet tall from head to toe. To put that in perspective, if that bronze Jesus stood up, he'd be taller than a two-story house.
The Engineering Nobody Talks About
You can't just stick seven tons of bronze on a piece of wood and hope for the best. Michigan winters are brutal. The wind coming off Burt Lake and Mullett Lake is no joke.
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Basically, they had to build a man-made mountain. The hill the cross stands on, called Calvary Hill, is actually a massive structure of steel and concrete hidden under layers of dirt.
The figure of Christ is held to the wood by 13 massive bolts. These aren't your hardware store bolts; they are 30 inches long and two inches thick. They were custom-made in Norway, where the bronze was cast.
- Weight of the bronze: 14,000 pounds.
- Arm span: 21 feet.
- Number of bolts: 13.
- Cross material: Oregon Redwood.
It took four years of work just for Fredericks to finish the plaster mold. Then it had to be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean, which, in 1959, was a massive logistical nightmare. It's still one of the largest bronze castings to ever cross the sea.
The Holy Stairs and the $1.00 Land Deal
There's a weirdly charming story about how the church got the land. Back in the 1940s, Father Charles Brophy wanted to build a church because people in Indian River had to drive way too far for Mass. He found some land in Burt Lake State Park.
The state government was hesitant at first. Eventually, in 1948, the Commission gave them the land for exactly $1.00 and—this is the best part—a box of candy for the secretary.
If you visit today, you’ll notice 28 steps leading up to the base of the cross. These are the "Holy Stairs." They represent the 28 stairs Jesus climbed to reach Pontius Pilate’s throne. Pilgrims often climb them on their knees as a form of prayer. You don’t have to do that, obviously, but seeing people do it really brings home how much this place means to the locals.
The Nun Doll Museum (Wait, What?)
Downstairs in the original church building is something you definitely won't see anywhere else: The Longinus Hall Nun Doll Museum.
It sounds like a quirky "Ripley's Believe It or Not" thing, but it’s actually quite serious. It started as a personal collection by a woman named Sally Seven in 1945. There are over 525 dolls and mannequins here.
Each one is dressed in a tiny, hand-sewn, authentic habit representing different religious orders from across North and South America. Since many of these orders have changed their clothing or disappeared over the decades, it’s actually an important historical archive of Catholic history. And the best part? It’s free. Sally Seven insisted that no one should ever be charged to see them.
A Masterpiece of Mid-Century Architecture
If you're into architecture, you need to look past the cross for a second and check out the buildings. The original church was designed by Alden B. Dow. He was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and a legend in Michigan architecture.
He designed the "Long House" chapel to feel like it belonged in the woods. It’s got these huge windows so you can look out at the trees while you’re sitting in the pews.
Later, in 1997, they built a much larger church that seats 1,000 people. It has a massive glass wall behind the altar. When you're sitting inside during Mass, you're looking directly out at the 55-foot cross. In the winter, when the snow is coming down in big, heavy flakes behind that glass, it’s honestly one of the most beautiful sights in the Midwest.
Misconceptions About the Title "World's Largest"
Is it the biggest in the world? Well, it depends on who you ask and how they're measuring. For a long time, it held the title of "World's Largest Crucifix."
Then, a 65-foot cross was built in Bardstown, Kentucky. But here's the kicker: while the Kentucky cross is taller, its figure of Christ is only 14 feet. The Indian River Christ is 28 feet.
So, if you’re measuring the actual sculpture of the man, Michigan still wins. If you’re measuring the wood, Kentucky takes it. Then there's the Valley of the Fallen in Spain, which has a cross that's 500 feet tall. Basically, the cross in the woods Michigan is the largest outdoor crucifix of its kind in the United States, and certainly the most famous one carved from a single tree.
Plan Your Trip: Beyond the Photos
Don't just run up to the cross, snap a selfie, and leave. You’ll miss the best parts.
There are several other shrines tucked away on the property. There's one for St. Peregrine (the patron saint of those with cancer) and a beautiful statue of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Father Brophy originally wanted to name the whole place after her, but she wasn't a saint yet back in the 40s.
If you're coming in the summer, try to catch the outdoor Mass. They hold it in the outdoor sanctuary that seats about 700 people. There’s something about hearing the wind in the pines while the service is going on that hits different.
- Mass Times: Usually 8:30 am and 10:30 am on Sundays. Summer services are often held outdoors.
- Location: 7078 M-68, Indian River, MI. It’s right off I-75.
- Cost: Admission to the grounds, the cross, and the doll museum is $0. They survive on donations and the gift shop.
- Accessibility: The paths are paved, but the hill to the cross is steep. There are ramps available for those who can't do the 28 stairs.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning a trip to Northern Michigan, put this on your list for a 45-minute stop. It’s a perfect "leg stretcher" on the way to Mackinac.
Pro Tip: After you visit, head five minutes down the road to Burt Lake State Park. It’s got one of the best sandy beaches in the lower peninsula. Or, if you’re hungry, grab a burger in downtown Indian River.
The cross in the woods Michigan is more than just a giant statue. It’s a piece of Michigan history, an architectural gem, and a very quiet, very still place in a very busy world. Even if you aren't religious, the sheer scale of the bronze work by Marshall Fredericks is worth the price of the detour (which is, again, free).
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To make the most of your visit, check the local weather forecast before you head out. Northern Michigan weather changes fast. If you want to see the "Man on the Cross" without the crowds, try to arrive right at dawn. The light hitting the bronze as the sun comes up through the trees is something you won't forget anytime soon. After you've spent time at the shrine, you can easily hop back on the highway and be at the Mackinac Bridge in about 30 minutes.