Places to Explore
National Shrine of St. Therese Chapel
The cornerstone of the Shrine Chapel was placed in 1938. The chapel is constructed of beach stone gathered by volunteers. Fr. William LeVasseur, a Jesuit priest from New Brunswick, Canada, had the idea and vision to create a retreat center in Alaska. Bishop Joseph Raphael Crimont, S.J., the first bishop of Alaska, consented and blessed the establishment of the Shrine of St. Therese in Juneau.
Stations of the Cross
The stone structures sheltering scenes of Christ’s final hours of human life are a Catholic devotional practice called the Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross). Each of the Stations depicts a scene of Christ’s passion and death. The Station rock structures were built about 1940.
Good Shepherd Rosary Trail
Located just across Shrine Creek and surrounded by beautiful gardens, this wheelchair-accessible trail takes you through the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the rosary.
Pieta Statue
At the end of the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail is a replica of Michelangelo’s famous statue, “The Pieta.” The statue depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary cradling in her arms the body of her beloved son, Jesus, after he was removed from the Cross.
Blessed Mother, pray for us!
Merciful Love Labyrinth
The labyrinth was constructed in the spring of 2001. Just as the Chapel builders had done in the 1930s to provide rocks for the Shrine Chapel as a labor of love, volunteers of all ages carried stones from the beach to construct the Merciful Love Labyrinth.
The Gardens
Shrine Gardens are spectacular, yet every flower, shrub, and tree is chosen to help point the observer to God. Each plant is selected based on its use in the Bible, its connection to Jesus or the saints, or its spiritual symbolism.
Shrine Gift Shop
The Gift Shop, located in the LeVasseur Cabin, has numerous Catholic sacramentals, including medals, rosaries, books, crosses, and unique items relating to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. At this time, we do not offer online sales of gift shop items due to excessive postage costs for locations outside of Alaska.
Ready to Explore the Shrine?
Download our campus map to guide your exploration through the sacred sites.
Volunteers, the Backbone of the Shrine!
From the beach stones gathered that make up the walls of the Shrine Chapel to the plants that grace the Marian and Biblical Gardens, all are the work of volunteers giving their time for the greater glory of God. Are you being called to this work?