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St Elizabeth Catholic

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church began as a chapel built by Richard Kerens in 1906 as a memorial to his parents.

Kerens was one of the builders of the Crescent Hotel. He also donated nearby land for the Carnegie Library.

He soon expanded the chapel to include the church which was dedicated in 1909, replacing the Catholic Church that was previously on Fairmont Street.

The church entrance is through the bell tower. The walk from the bell tower has the 14 Stations of the Cross in Italian marble along the right hand side. The chapel was designed with St. Sophia's Church in Istanbul, Turkey in mind.

Items moved from the old church inluded a few statues and the old altar.

The large chandelier with 7511 crystals and 19 interior lights that hangs from the center of the dome was a donation by another church member

. Richard Kerens came to Eureka Springs in 1881 at the request of Powell Clayton. Both men were avid Republicans and both became ambassadors. The two, were personally and financially responsible for the opening of the parochial school and Hotel Dieu Hospital on Fairmont Street.

Both Kerens and his wife were responsible for the construction of chapels and churches in several states, and in establishing a scholarship at Notre Dame. Kerens died in 1916.

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Arackal

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

30 Crescent Drive

Sunday Mass: 7:00 a.m.

St. Elizabeth Parish Center

232 Passion Play Road

Sunday Mass: 8:30 a.m.

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