When you step into a sacred space or onto hallowed ground, you are freed to let the rest of the world melt away as you tap into something that transcends the common human experience. In the midst of life’s perpetual movement and sensory stimulation, I find it necessary to seek out as many moments as possible to enter into those spaces and allow myself to pause, to reflect, to pray, and to meditate. Although it’s true that God is present everywhere and a Holy Presence can be accessed anywhere, there is something truly special about entering into a physical space that so many people before have come to for a sacred encounter of their own. Whether it is a natural space that beckons one to recognize the splendor of earth around us, or a constructed space carefully designed by another seeker to be a structure consecrated and devoted to house those encounters with the Divine, they offer a chance to explore the depths of existence more fully. This is why I’ve created my own Sacred Space Bucket list of various sacred spaces that I want to visit and experience. I’ve only included spaces on this list that are located within the continental United States for a couple of reasons: 1) Because I wanted them to be places that I realistically could have the chance to visit in my lifetime and 2) Because I want them to be places that my readers could also realistically visit if they have the chance. Of course there are plenty of other sacred spaces worldwide that I would love to visit someday, and when I get the chance to, I definitely will. But the truth is that there are so many incredible places right in the US that have been borne out of such inspirational histories, and filled with such mystery, clarity, and beauty that one can enter into. And the more fully that I can experience those spaces, the closer I will come to discovering the sacred space within myself and understanding what it means to live in communion with the God that dwells there. This is my pilgrimage.
The places on this list represent all that I would like to visit. The ones with links are places that I have been blessed to visit already and been able to write about on this blog. The places in bold are ones that I have visited but have not had the chance to write about just yet. And the rest of the places in regular text are on my Sacred Space Bucket List as hopeful destinations for me sometime in the future. As I travel and experience and write I will keep the list updated so my readers can follow along. I was originally inspired to start the list after reading this article on the Huffington Post. I have edited and expanded the list for my own travels but many of the places are from that article. I hope to make it reach at least 100 places. And if anyone knows of a space where they have found clarity, peace, and holiness, that they think I should add to my list, please let me know.
Baha’i Faith Center – Wilmette, Illinois
Abbey of Gethsemani – Trappist, Kentucky
Islamic Center of Murfreesboro – Murfreesboro, Tennesee
Grotto of Redemption – West Bend, Iowa
Old Sheldon Church Ruins – Yemassee, South Carolina
Buddhist Association of the United States – Carmel, NY
9/11 Memorial – New York, NY
Chapel of the Holy Cross – Sedona, Arizona
Thorncrown Chapel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Gurdwara Sahib of San Jose – San Jose, California
Cadet Chapel – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Our Lady Queen of Peace – New Castle, Deleware
Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation – Miami, Florida
Congregation Mickve Israel – Savannah, Georgia
Idaho Falls Idaho Temple – Idaho Falls, Idaho
North Christian Church – Columbus, Indiana
Beecher Bible and Rifle Church – Wabaunsee, Kansas
St. Louis Cathedral – New Orleans, Louisiana
First Church of Christ Scientist – Boston, Massachusetts
Islamic Center of America – Dearborn, Michigan
Temple of Eck – Chanhassan, Minnesota
St. Joseph’s Church – Port Gibson, Mississippi
Saint Anselm Church – Creve Coeur, Missouri
The Red Sun Labyrinth – Bitterroot Valley, Montana
Hindu Temple of Omaha – Omaha, Nebraska
Guardian Angel Cathedral – Las Vegas, Nevada
Cathedral of the Pines – New Hampshire
San Francisco of Assisi Mission Church Ranchos de Taos – Taos, New Mexico
Temple Emanu – El – New York City, New York
Duke Chapel – Durham, North Carolina
Wilmington Lutheran Church – Arnegard, North Dakota
The Great Serpent Mound – Adams County, Ohio
Boston Avenue Methodist Church – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Crater Lake – Oregon
Mother Bethel AME Church – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Touro Synagogue – Newport, Rhode Island
Chapel in the Hills – Rapid City, South Dakota
Interfaith Peace Chapel – Dallas, Texas
Salt Lake Temple – Salt Lake City, Utah
Old Round Church – Richmond, Vermont
St. Luke’s Church – Smithfield, Virginia
St. Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral – Seattle, Washington
Washington National Cathedral – Wahsington DC
New Vrindaban Palace of Gold – Moundsville, West Virginia
Bear Butte – South Dakota
El Santuario de Chimayo – New Mexico
Shambala Mountain Center – Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Amish Country of Northern Indiana – Elkhart County, Indiana
Islamic Center of Long Island – Long Island, New York
Temple Tifereth Israel – Cleveland, Ohio
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church – Charleston, South Carolina
Effigy Mounds – McGregor, Iowa
