Nestled in a sloping three-acre triangular park area in the heart of downtown Dallas is a peculiar looking structure that some have said resembles soft-serve vanilla ice cream. Journey inside the small Chapel of Thanksgiving, and leave with a new outlook on life. You cannot even imagine the beauty you will experience once inside:
The park area known as Thanks-Giving Square serves as a common ground where people of all cultures and religions are welcome.
Leonid Furmansky for Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook
Dedicated in 1976, the square and its non-denominational chapel intentionally is void of overt religious symbolism.
@markheybo/Flickr
A granite marker explains the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook
The Chapel of Thanksgiving was recognized as national shrine in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.
Facebook/Leonid Furmansky for Thanks The chapel encourages visitors to celebrate personal beliefs, spirituality, and values.
The entrance is at the end of a 125-foot ramp over a beautiful, cascading waterfall.
Paulo H./Foursquare Many visitors remark the sound of the running water adds to the spiritual and reflective experience of the chapel.
Step inside and look up…
Steve Grant/Flickr The chapel ceiling contains the stained glass “Glory Window,” one of largest horizontally mounted stained glass pieces in the world.
The stained glass design rises 90 feet above street level and is suggestive of the infinite upward reach of the human spirit.
Johnn D./Foursquare There are 73 panels of faceted glass featuring warmer and brighter colors as the spiral reaches its apex.
The chapel experience is even detailed in braille, so that all can experience its glory.
Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook
Under the chapel lies the Hall of Thanksgiving.
Noah Jeppson/unvisiteddallas.com This area is the exhibition, meeting, and resource center for Thanks-Giving Square. Artifacts are on display here, as well as the story of the American Thanksgiving tradition.
The Court of All Nations is at the western end of the park.
Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook The 50-foot bell tower features three bronze bells in the likeness of the Liberty Bell.
The entryway includes such notable reminders for visitors as the exquisite mosaic of “The Golden Rule.”
Heather K. /Yelp
Visitors are encouraged to step through the “Ring of Thanks.”
Thanks-Giving Square/Foursquare The 14-foot diameter aluminum ring is covered in 23 carat gold leaf.
In the middle of the garden is the Center Court of Praise, which takes inspiration from public gathering spaces around the world.
Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook It is here that special events have celebrated “gratitude on the move” through speech, song, and dance.
The Grove is a garden area designed for meditation and contemplation.
Thanks-Giving Square/Foursquare
The reflective pools add tranquility to the area.
C. Troy M./Foursquare
Visit Thanks-Giving Square at 1627 Pacific Ave., 75201.
Thanks-Giving Square/Foursquare The gardens are open daily from 5:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. The Chapel is open on Mondays from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. and on Wednesdays-Sundays from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Have you visited Thanks-Giving Square? If so, we’d love for you to share your experience in the comments.
Leonid Furmansky for Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook
@markheybo/Flickr
Thanks-Giving Square/Facebook
Facebook/Leonid Furmansky for Thanks
The chapel encourages visitors to celebrate personal beliefs, spirituality, and values.
Paulo H./Foursquare
Many visitors remark the sound of the running water adds to the spiritual and reflective experience of the chapel.
Steve Grant/Flickr
The chapel ceiling contains the stained glass “Glory Window,” one of largest horizontally mounted stained glass pieces in the world.
Johnn D./Foursquare
There are 73 panels of faceted glass featuring warmer and brighter colors as the spiral reaches its apex.
Noah Jeppson/unvisiteddallas.com
This area is the exhibition, meeting, and resource center for Thanks-Giving Square. Artifacts are on display here, as well as the story of the American Thanksgiving tradition.
The 50-foot bell tower features three bronze bells in the likeness of the Liberty Bell.
Heather K. /Yelp
Thanks-Giving Square/Foursquare
The 14-foot diameter aluminum ring is covered in 23 carat gold leaf.
It is here that special events have celebrated “gratitude on the move” through speech, song, and dance.
C. Troy M./Foursquare
The gardens are open daily from 5:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. The Chapel is open on Mondays from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. and on Wednesdays-Sundays from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. It is closed on Tuesdays.
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Address: 1627 Pacific Ave., 75201
