The Precious Moments Chapel, also known as “America’s Sistine Chapel”, has over 9000 square feet of biblical artwork painted on the actual walls and ceiling of the Chapel. Many hand made stained glass windows with biblical messages created by Mr. Butcher adorn the exterior of the Chapel. Hand carved bronze plates depicting the old and new testaments greet you at the front of the Chapel as well as hand carved Philippine wood doors. The artist, Samuel J. Butcher, was inspired by Rome’s Sistine Chapel and felt directed by the Lord to build the Chapel in Carthage, MO to share the promise of hope, love and inspiration. The Precious Moments Chapel brings hope and articulates a sense of divine purpose in the midst of the tragedy of losing a loved one. Inspired by the stories of children who lost their lives at a young, tender age, Hallelujah Square depicts children living on for eternity in Heaven.
The Samuel J. Butcher Museum has many items depicting Samuel J. Butcher’s life, family, and artistic creations. He has shared his faith with thousands of people over the years and the Precious Moments Supporting Foundation, the owner and operator of the Chapel since January 1st, 2008, will continue to sustain and share the joy of the Chapel and Sam Butcher’s legacy for many years to come.
The Visitor Center houses the World’s largest Precious Moments Gift Shop as well as a year round Christmas Shop with many different brands to choose from. There is a snack shop and atrium filled with animated figurines and a running stream through a castle moat. When you start your journey from the Visitor Center to the Chapel, you will walk through beautiful gardens and see statues and fountains created by Mr. Butcher. Soft music plays along your walk and you may see a deer run across the fields in the distance. In front of the Chapel, a new Precious Moments Chapel Memorial Brick Program has begun on the Chapel Plaza. Anyone can purchase a memory brick that will be part of the Chapel for years to come. You will be able to view Grandpa’s Island with a castle built for Mr. Butcher’s grandchildren. There is also resurrection cave, an actual cave with a Precious Moments figure depicting the resurrection of Christ.
Dated Information:
Events at the Precious Moments Chapel
The Precious Moments Chapel celebrates 20 Years of Blessings in 2009
The Precious Moments Family Reunion will be held from June 18th thru June 21st, 2009. This annual event offers a time for Precious Moments Collectors to come together and renew their friendships and faith from across the nation. Whether you are an avid collector of Precious Moments figurines or a fan of the Chapel and its message, this reunion is a great way to meet others, share your common interests and have a great time. Many fun things are planned for the reunion with a Chapel Exclusive figurine that you can only receive at the event and than is immediately retired. This is the 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Precious Moments Chapel in June of 1989. Attendees leave these events feeling uplifted and inspired to carry on the Precious Moments mission of loving, caring and sharing throughout the year, and make hundreds of new friends!
If you have interest in Precious Moments this is certainly a travel adventure you will want to exprience.
Announcement: Closed the Fountain of Angels and the
Location: 4321 Chapel Road
Carthage, MO 64801
Phone: (800) 543-7975
Open: Year around except for Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
I really enjoyed the chapel and grounds — both times I was there. (Mar., 2008 & Oct., 1995) The murals in the chapel and the displays in the gift shop are beautiful. I just wish there were pictures (posters) of different scenes; expecially a large one of Hallelujah Square. I would like to have one about 11×14. I would also like to know more about Sam Butcher and how he came to build this marvel. I hope they keep this wonderful place open forever.
I have visted the chapel and plan on going in june for the event. For all who have never been it is a place for helping anyone who has lost a loved one and need to heal there hearts.The feeling of hope and peace that you feel in the chapel you will never forget. If you are not a precious moments fan it is still a place you must vist with family.To me it is like what heaven will be a place were there is no suffering. I hope many will vist this and be touched like me.
The Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage Missouri was along the way from my home in Frankfort KY to my Prepaid Legal and Identity Theft Shield International Convention in Oklahoma City. On the return home, I took time to drive by hoping to at least see the chapel on the outside……… I was a weary traveler, just like Sam years earlier when he discovered this location for his chapel. I pulled up after regular hours and asked the ladies outside if they were visitors, “no we just cleaned”. I asked about the Chapel, told them I had been a collector since the very beginning and wondered if I could at least see the chapel. They told me I could walk back, see it and take pictures. I was so excited I could hardly stand it. I had feared, this one time along this piece of highway, that I had missed the opportunity because my timing had not worked out. Accidentally, I was speaking to Melinda, Sam’s daughter-in-law. So sweet and kind, she felt for me and found a way for me to see this piece of heaven on Earth! She allowed me to walk around and enjoy the grounds. Everything was absolutely beautiful, especially at this time of day as it was coming into dusk on a beautiful spring day and the sun was beginning to set.
After a while of enjoying the walk, the beautiful spring blossoms, the groomed grounds, and the angels all around, Melinda drove around and said she had gotten the keys to let me in! Melinda is one of the few who have been married in the Chapel and her children are Sam’s models these days. She gave me a tour of the Chapel and SHE TRULY MADE MY DAY!! What a joy! I have a Precious Moments collection which I love and this ‘accidental’ experience on a Sunday evening at sunset with my camera in hand is one I SHALL NEVER FORGET!! I felt close to the Lord and each turn of a corner gave me another jolt in my heart. Thank you Melinda!! Thank you Sam! You have touched my heart for so many years with my doll and figurine collections. I thank you for that and I thank you for the Heaven on Earth you have given us with the Chapel and Park! You have touched so MANY hearts and we each love you! Thank you! Sue Darnell Ellis