Shrine of the Ages

The west-facing side entrance to Shrine of the Ages Auditorium

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Near Park Headquarters and Market Plaza

Significance:

Auditorium

Amenities

8 listed

Amphitheater, Bicycle - Rack, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible

Shrine of the Ages is a multi-purpose building used by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and community groups. It can also be rented for private functions, including wedding ceremonies, with an application for a Special Use Permit.

Planning to visit the Shrine of the Ages? Trip planning information is located on the Grand Canyon Shrine of Ages webpage.

Depending upon CDC Covid-19 Community Levels, mitigations, including mask requirements, may be in place. The number of events held here have been limited during the pandemic. However, the 40th Annual Grand Canyon Music Festival took place here during the month of September, 2023. 

During the cooler months, before the pandemic, evening programs by park interpretive rangers were held inside Shrine of the Ages; providing opportunities to learn about a variety of Grand Canyon's resources. Topics included geology, human history, wildlife, the night sky, water resources, rock art, canyon hiking, and more.

Special events, such as concerts, symposia or demonstrations, sometimes took the place of a ranger programs. Activities included: guest speakers, visiting artists, musicians, or even students from Grand Canyon School who presented their own programs to the community and park visitors.

Religious Services

Religious services are offered in Shrine if the Ages Auditorium, and the surrounding community. Current schedules are posted at Mather Campground (near the check-in station), Shrine of the Ages , the information kiosk near the post office , Grand Canyon Visitor Center , and Verkamp's Visitor Center .

History

Although the idea for an interfaith chapel at Grand Canyon was proposed as early as 1917, it was not until 1952 that the Shrine of the Ages Chapel Corporation was formed, plans drawn up, and fundraising started. Representatives from Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant services comprised the Corporation. The National Park Service approved it because it offered the opportunity for all religious faiths to have a place of worship. The idea was to build a permanent building near a site on the canyon rim already used for services, including a very popular Easter Sunrise service.

Harold E. Wagoner, a member of the board of directors of the Church Architectural Guild of America, was selected as architect. Working within National Park Service guidelines to respect the natural environment and American Indian culture, he designed a structure that reflected the architectural style of a kiva, a place of worship used by native people in the Southwest. This design worked well since the National Park Service also required that no towers or specific religious symbols be used.

Because the initial building site was on the rim of the canyon just west of today's Hermits Rest Route (red) shuttle stop, plans called for the main auditorium to have a sweeping canyon view from a multi-story, curved window placed behind the altar. A special hydraulic lift would raise and lower at least three different altar configurations for Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant services. An organ placed on a small balcony, with wind chests and pipes located at different sections of the main chapel, would provide stereophonic sound effects.

Even as fundraising efforts reached around the world, questions about whether the rim was an appropriate location for the structure resulted in delays. Some even argued that the building only remotely resembled a kiva, instead looking more like a huge spacecraft perched on the canyon rim. Donations were never quite enough to realize Wagoner's plans, and federal funding became involved. The building was ultimately redesigned and relocated away from the edge of the canyon. An appropriate site was chosen next to the existing Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery, and Shrine of the Ages was completed by 1970.

The National Park Service took over ownership of the building in 1975, along with all maintenance, operational, and administrative duties.

Evening Programs

Before the pandemic, evening programs were usually held at Shine of the Ages at 7:30 pm each night. When you are visiting the park, you can ask at the visitor center to see if programs are being offered during your stay. Program and event schedules are also posted on sandwichboard signs around the village.