Cross in the Woods

The Cross in the Woods - one of Michigan's best known and most visited shrines.

Inspired by Kateri Tekakwitha, the seventeenth century Mohawk Indian maiden who became a Christian and who loved to make small crosses and place them in the woods in trees for shrines.

Made of redwood, the unadorned cross was erected in 1954. Renowned Michigan sculptor Marshall Fredericks was commissioned to design the figure of Christ. A model was made in New York and the bronze casting was done in Oslo, necessitating that it become one of the largest castings to ever cross the Atlantic.

With the completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 and the I-75 Indian River Exit in 1962, millions of visitors from around the world have visited to pray and gaze upon the "Man on the Cross".

On the premises are a chapel, and the Nun Doll Collection of 525 dolls and 20 mannequins of more than 217 religious orders of priests, sisters, and brothers of North and South America. More info at www.crossinthewoods.com.