You remember Precious Moments right? Those cute little statues from the nineties? Your mom definitely had at least one, or if she didn’t one of her friends had the entire collection. Every holiday, a new town would come out on display at Hallmark and old ladies everywhere would rush to complete their collection.
What would you say if I told you that hidden away in Carthage Missouri, is an entire grounds with a Chapel dedicated to Precious Moments? Well you’re in luck because that is where I ended up one blustery Monday morning after getting lost in Oklahoma.
A blizzard was said to be coming from the west while I was on my way back to California so I had to make a quick audible and head east to avoid the weather. As I crossed the border into Missouri I started to see billboards advertising this chapel and I had to make a detour.
Upon arrival I was amazed at what I found. The original artist Samuel J. Butcher searched for years across America to find a place to give “as a gift of thanks to God; recognizing the many blessings given by God.” He finally came across this land on his way home from a road show and has spent the rest of his love adding to his creation.
The first building you will come to is a life sized Precious Moment street with figurines hanging out in the windows and streams. A gift shop is around the corner where you can give into your inner collector.
Next you will leave that building to head to the chapel. Words really can’t describe how awesome it is inside so I won’t try. Please enjoy both the pictures and video as my words can’t come close to expressing how cool this place is.
Closest Supercharger – Joplin MO – 11 mi
3132 Hammons Blvd, Joplin, MO 64804
Precious Moments Chapel
4321 S Chapel Rd, Carthage, MO 64836
