Tucked away in Gretna, Nebraska is one of the most beautiful roadside churches in the country. This simple shrine uses natural materials and a whole bunch of sunshine to deliver an amazing experience. Plus, it has one incredible feature you won’t find anywhere else.
The Holy Family Shrine is located on Pflug Road between Omaha and Lincoln. You’ll recognize it immediately – it’s an absolutely stunning building standing alone against the sky. The site includes a chapel, a gift shop and a visitor center.
The beautiful chapel is mostly made of glass. Sunlight streams in from all directions and illuminates pews made of simply-designed wood. It’s an utterly tranquil and absolutely gorgeous place to worship, pray, or simply sit quietly and reflect.
The best part? There’s actually a small stream that flows all the way from the visitor center straight through the church and to the altar of the chapel!
Though the shrine is designated as Catholic, the chapel itself is relatively understated in its over Catholic imagery and is a lovely place for a weary traveler of any faith to refresh their spirit and stretch their legs.
Once you’re done checking out the gorgeous shrine, there’s still more to discover. You can wander along walking trails that overlook the prairie and the Platte valley, or set up a picnic on the 24-acre grassy property.
You can find the Holy Family Shrine at 23132 Pflug Road, PO Box 507, Gretna, NE. There is a small parking lot that can accommodate a modest amount of vehicles.
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