National Shrine of St. Therese Reviews

We loved hiking around this beautiful little peninsula. We marveled in the beauty, loved listening for whales in the strait, found contemplation in the chapel, and found relief in the vistas.

Peacful location. Good for a walk if you have nothing else to do. Pleaseant outlook. Church would be a good place to contermplate but cleaners were vacuming during our visit.

what ever faith or denomination you are this place is worth the visit, so beautiful and well kept a must see in juneau

My daughter and I stayed in the post office cabin. It was spotless, it was charming and it was affordable. My daughter worked in Juneau all summer and said she kept getting called back to this place. I can certainly see why! It's delightful, beautiful, spiritual and peaceful. Lots of flowers and gardens to see (other than the shrine itself). Beautiful place!

It's fascinating to walk out on a small spit of land and see this shrine through the trees. I'm not a church-goer, but just being here filled me up.

It’s a drive out the road but you won’t be disappointed. Walk the entire grounds and you’ll also see a marmot and some bald eagles. The church was very cool.

A beautiful chapel in an amazingly beautiful setting.after parking you walk along a la next to the water and then enter a beautiful forested area where the shrine sits. It is a gorgeous, peaceful setting well worth the drive.

If you like gardens this is worth the visit. Lots of interesting flora and fauna. A somewhat strange cairn field - not sure the significance?

What a beautiful and peaceful place. Wonderful to go for a walk there. It is worth walking around the Church - lots of surprises. It is literally a church in the rainforest.

This is a beautiful place right on the water. It's landscaped with gorgeous flowers and a short walk to the quaint rock church, shrine and viewing point. Easy drive from Juneau or Auke Bay and not much to do here, but on a nice day is a beautiful place to bring a picnic lunch. Has bathrooms too which is always a plus.

Beautiful off the beaten path shrine, with stunning views and lovely flowers.... a tranquil stop that is worth the effort of visiting.

It's quite a ride from downtown Juneau, but it's really a peaceful little enclave away from the bustle of the city. The stone chapel is located in a small grove facing the ocean. Allow around 15-30 minutes to visit. I imagine that it's a perfect place for retreats.

I'm not catholic but always enjoy the peace here. Check the tide to make sure you can get out and back to the mainland.

We had a chance to go and visit the shrine, walk around the peaceful grounds, go to Mass (the last regular Mass of the season), and see the breaktaking views overlooking the water.

Located a few miles north of Juneau, but might be worth your time to see. We stopped on the way back to Juneau after driving to the northern end of the road, and found it very interesting. It was a short easy walk and didn't take very long. Nice views and pictures of the church, inside and out.

Good free thing to do. Fairly short walk to walk all. Flowers were beautiful. Had a weird mausoleum type thing that was different. The church does not have any stain glass windows. We were there on a Sunday right before Mass started so a little busy

this is a very beautiful spot in the road....very well maintained and beautiful church and grounds. Flowers and beautiful views

My wife and I had some extra time when there recently and was delighted to see this shrine even though we are not Catholic. This is a beautiful serene area and just its location is a religious experience. Take your camera for pics of the shrine and walk out to the point to get some great sunset views.

The views from this gorgeous chapel are breathtaking. After arriving on a cruise ship in Juneau, we rented a car rather than being herded like cattle on a tour. I didn’t want to leave the Shrine of Saint Therese. By far this is my very favorite excursion of all the ports we’ve stopped in. Don’t miss this magical place!

For the setting alone, this place is worth a visit. In the woods, quiet. no crowds, a beautiful church next to the water.

Beautiful spot, very peaceful, quiet. Well worth the stop. Would like to have spent more time. Great place to wonder around and take some nice pictures. The church is quite something. Not touristy at all.

We stayed in Juneau for several days and drove out to the Shrine one overcast afternoon to walk the grounds. It was beautiful, peaceful, and we were treated to seeing marmots on the grounds. While we didn't see whales the day we were there, based on the location I'm sure it's a good place to see them at times.

This place was beautiful. Stations of the cross were very pretty. We saw a marmot on the rocks near the shore. Good hiking around the spot. The rainforest is very lush behind the chapel down to the shoreline. Go down there!!

Our car rental salesperson told us about this place and what a great surprise! It is super secluded and there was no crowds. It is right on the water with the best views ever.

Its a nice drive if you have a rental car. Lots of places to view on the way there. Not too much to do here except walk out to the chapel and take in the scenery. You can make this a short side trip if you have some time.

The Shrine is a nice place to visit. The Shrine is a little but very nice walk away from the parking area. It is near the ocean and very pretty, well kept and there is no charge for visiting. A nice place to get the flavor of Alaska.

This is in a beautiful forest setting but yet part of it is on the beach. It is very peaceful and worth while.

Our cab driver brought us here and what a lovely location this turned out to be! It's a coastal retreat with gardens, a church, and lovely religious statuary honoring God. There were volunteers tending to the BEAUTIFUL flowers and grounds. This is a place to reconnect with God and all that He has created.

What a beautiful and serene place. Watched an otter playing from the walk way, I swear he was putting on a show!

We probably would not have stopped but it was on the way to Eagle Beach. After parking, it's about a 5 minute walk to the stone church. It is beautiful and the setting is tranquil, but it's essentially a small stone church in the woods. Maybe I would have found it more profound if I were more religious. Perhaps some would consider a must see in Juneau but not me.

We rented a car one day and visited this as part of our journey to the End of the Road in Juneau. We saw whales and marmots here in addition to finding yet another beautiful and tranquil place in Alaska. It was after hours yet the gift shop was open on an honor code basis. You could buy a soda -- or an expensive religious momento. All at your honor. .When does that happen? What a treasure.

This is a gem of a spot along the water. Very peaceful and beautiful area to walk and find quiet to reflect and take in the atmosphere. The chapel is wonderful as well.

We rented a car from juneau car rental for the day and drove out here after lunch. We saw some otters in thd water and two eagles. Went inside the church very nice place.

What a gem. Stopped in on a sunny beautiful day. The property is really pretty with several walking paths. There are restrooms and a little gift shop. Several benches are located throughout the property offering million dollar views. Since it was a Sunday the stone chapel was open. I was in need of peace and serenity and it was not an accident I ended up here.

We went as a family group and that day was a bit unfortunate since it was alternating between light rain and cloudy skies. Even though the weather was windy, it made the view so much prettier in my opinion. You can actually go in the Shrine itself, but I chose not to. There's a little pathway that leads to a beautiful view of the ocean. Would recommend visiting.

This is a must visit if you happen to have a car to drive out to it. The church is spectacular and has a small gift shop inside for donations. Also a prayer book. It is on the edge of the peninsula and has spectacular views. Lots of flowers and just a gorgeous view. The large cross on the top of the hill was just a pleasant surprise and spectacular to see. Religious or not, it's beautiful

Every visit to Juneau we visit the Shrine of St Therese. It’s peace and tranquillity restores your faith in humanity. Walking the labyrinth is meditative. This year, I discovered new paths. It’s free and open to the public. We were also able to attend mass this year as timing happened to work in our favor. We will continue to explore with each trip to Juneau. I encourage all no matter their faith to enjoy this shrine.

This is another beautiful spot to visit, with so many things to see. The stations of the cross are outdoor works of art that are just amazing! They are large (5-6 feet tall?), built of stone, with carved pictures. Wear sturdy shoes, as the ground can be uneven.
There were at least six fishing trawlers anchored in the cove when I was there. Bring your camera, as they are beautiful to see. A perfect Alaska photo opportunity! Watch for the stacked/balanced rocks over towards the columbarium, and be sure to see the labyrinth. Take a rest on one of the many stone benches. I visit every time I am in Juneau.

Beautiful place which is an easy stop off the road. However, if you have done any other hiking in Juneau along the shore this isn't anything new. Good stop if you haven't done any other hiking, but otherwise not a must do.

Not too far out of the way and a great place to visit, beautiful location and perfect setting! It is a self paced tour for us and we were amazed by the shrine.

Although it's around 12 or 14 miles north of Juneau, a visit to the St. Theresa's Shrine is well worth the trip. It is located on a small island connected to the mainland by a short causeway, on the grounds of a Catholic retreat (it's free to visit). The environs invite comtemplative strolling (though be careful - the heavily wooded island also contains clusters of thorny devli's club plants). In August bald eagles above and hoary marmots between the rocks were in no short supply as interesting diversions.
There is a public restroom in one of the small buildings on the mainland.

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here by renewing our wedding vows. A very beautiful site and church. The people associated with the church were very accommodating and responsive. Such a pretty site which I’d consider a hidden gem.

The Shrine of St. There was worth the extra drive out of town and to visit. The main church is located on a island in a quite dramatic setting, Good Parking at the shrine .

The chapel is cute, but it's the surroundings that are worth seeing. We enjoyed slowly walking the nature trail / stations of the cross scattered around the small hill in the woods. Then we spent a short time admiring the flowers and walking the labyrinth. As we were getting ready to leave, we noticed a nice rocky seashore - we spent a few minutes admiring sea stars, urchins, and other low-tide life and as we stood on the beach, we were surprised by a humpback whale spouting just off shore! Very neat.
The views are gorgeous, and it's a relaxing place to spend an hour or more.

hidden gem. we thought it would be just a church but it is so much more. the church is set on a tiny island reached by a footbridge , hidden behind the trees with all sorts of statues around it. it faces out onto the ocean with scenic views of the islands and a whale if lucky. back over the bridge is a tiny cove with benches where you can admire the views . a terrific place to chill out and contemplate. hire a car from the dock from "juneau car rental" if you are on a cruise. they have a hut on the dock and make it so eay. you can get away from the crowds and navigating is simple as just mainly one road!

This shrine and retreat is outside Auke Bay. The view is fantastic from the site, lots of water framed by snow capped mountains. The chapel itself is lovely. Worth a drive to this side of Juneau.

The gardens were very pretty and the area is very pretty. We were the only ones there and there were several ravens around being very loud. The ravens made it a little spooky, so we just walked around for a minute and then left. If you have extra time though it is worth the quick stop.

On my way back from Point Bridget State Park, I visited the Shrine of St. Therese.
The peaceful morning energy was well appreciated by me.
I walked around, admiring the spiritual retreat.

just a perfect place to spend some time - saw salmon, a seal, ducks and even saw a marmot. quite, peaceful and serene - a must stop in Juneau AK

We saw this Shrine on a calm but cloudy and misty day, lending it a surreal atmosphere of peace and calm. The exterior is splendid. The interior, in a nice contrast, is plain. After visiting here, drive to the end of the Glacier Highway and chuckle at the bullet hole- riddled yellow "End of the Road" sign. The only road going North out of Juneau just ends!!!

Was there later evening and the sun shining through the trees unto the stations of the cross was very cool and very serene. Walked the labyrinth and visited the columbarium. Great views of the water here and definitely worth a visit.

Loved this hidden attraction. Very interesting landscape and church with unexpected gardens and other items around. Would recommend as a stop while in Juneau.

This is a beautiful location to visit on a trip “out the road” from Juneau. A small chapel on a spit of land, built on a rise overlooking the water. There is a path around the chapel in the woods demarking the stations of the cross and you are sure to be sharing the walk with some Alaskan wildlife, porcupines, eagles, or sea lions off shore. A great stop.

I am not personally catholic, however I love to look and view old churches. This is a cool place to just go and see and read about the history of the expansions of the Christian faith in Alaska. It is very calm and peaceful. Great architecture and beautiful views of the ocean and water.

We were early in the season, so it was very quiet with very few people about. Beautiful setting and very peaceful.

We rented a car in Juneau during our cruise and stopped by the shrine as it offered handicap accessible trails we could take my FIL on. I couldn't recommend this stop more! The drive out was very easy and our visit was just so beautiful and quiet. We were the only people on the property other than the grounds staff, who btw were so nice to talk to and very informative! We saw so many eagles and even saw one of the resident bears run across the driveway on our way out! Be sure to scan the rocks out to the shrine for "the most photographed marmots in Alaska!" Honestly this stop ended up being one of our favorite memories of our trip. Don't skip this one!

We went on a gray day and at low tide so the walkway to the chapel didn't have water lapping against it. The chapel interior was all wood from floor to ceiling and the exterior was stone. The fireplace in the back of the chapel was located near the confessional. The moss covered trail around the chapel highlighted a series of statues. It was a lovely spot and quiet reflection came naturally.

I found this through a things to do while in Juneau Google search. The drive out to the Shrine was beautiful and the Shrine itself was so peaceful. My husband and I walked the grounds. We took pictures of the Shrine and of the surrounding Stations of the Cross. We took the path along the shoreline and found the Labyrinth of Serenity both fascinating and beautiful. The grounds are just lovely and it is so peaceful and quiet. I was moved enough to Google St. Therese and learn more about her. I highly recommend this.

This is a beautifully simple church. Easy to park and walk to. It's perched on the point surrounded by water. After walking around the exterior and reading all the stations of the cross, then spending some prayerful time inside the church, we sat at the picnic table and enjoyed the lunch we took with us - smoked salmon and salmon spread - yum. Then we walked over to the stream and watched the huge salmon making their journey upstream. It was all so peaceful.

Beautiful location and in a natural settingMultiple flower beds,paths around the shirn can take one to the beach. Children can clamberon the rocks or walk along the beach.

This area is about 15 miles from downtown Juneau and 8 miles from the airport. Very pleasant stroll in a peaceful environment. Beautiful views.

If you have the time and a rental car this is a really neat stop. The shrine and its grounds are so peacefull and well kept. The staff while out and about are warm and friendly.

We are staying north of Juneau and this is just a few minutes away from us so my husband and I decided to make a quick trip. He heard it was good for fishing and wanted to check it out. Such a peaceful place, with signs telling the story and history of St. Therese, the Shrine and Stations of the Cross on a beautiful trail around, a labyrinth of stones, and right on the water so we saw a little wildlife too. You can rent for overnight stays and retreats. Such a quiet, tranquil place, would be great for reflection, prayer, and reading a book.

This place must have been a real scene in it's day, you can just imagine barefoot retreaters slipping around. Beautiful gardens, lots of peaceful nooks for reflection.

A colleague took me out to visit the area during a stay in Juneau. It was amazingly beautiful with awesome views. Each prayer station was uniquely and simply adorned. With the trip out to see it!

Very beautiful old church in an ideal location. Not many people visiting at any one time so it is serene.

This is a beautiful, peaceful spot to visit. The scenery is amazing. The flowers are beautiful and there is a wonderful calm about the entire area. There are easy, short walks to take while surrounded by glorious mountains and water. It's free and it's fabulous!

This was our second time here. Lovely shrine. Chapel and grounds. Saw 3 Hoary Marmots this time. Very cute.

If it were not for a suggestion from a local resident named Emma we would have missed the most important stop in our visit to Juneau. Please make your way to this heartwarming and peaceful island chapel. Take a few moments to reflect inside, light a candle and quietly reflect on thoughts and prayers. Truly a beautiful addition to your visit to Juneau.

Came here while our ship was docked! Really peaceful and very pretty! Lovely look around and was very surreal! The place is well looked after and views from the lake are to die for! Highly recommend :)

a peaceful and humbling experience. Just a short drive from town, an unexpected treasure. Regardless of your religious affiliation, you will be touched by the peace and beauty of the chapel and surrounding grounds.

Well worth the stop if you’re in the area. Beautiful place, chapel and garden. Very peaceful and quiet. Nice facilities and easy parking too

If you have a car & the time, you have to visit this place. Take Glacier Hwy past Mile Post 22 & its on the left. The views of Auke Bay are worth the trip. Flower garden and parking lots are maintained by volunteers & they have done a wonderful job.

Religious or not, this is a beautiful and peaceful spot worth the stop. Bonus, we caught the salmon spawning in the creek!

wonderfully maintained quiet place to visit. A nice stop on the way to or from Eagle River. Plenty of parking, easy walk down the the waterfront

Rented a van for the day.. Stopped here on way back from Eagle Beach. It is worth a short stop. Very beautiful and serene.

Peaceful beautiful spot that we stumbled upon just looking up the coast from Juneau. Great little trails and beautiful cabin to go with a wonderful spiritual experience. A memorial service was going on as we visited and it was totally calm. it would be a cool place to stay as well if one wanted a quite place away from it all.

Such a serene and gorgeous place! Definitely worth your time. I loved seeing the New Testament and Old Testament gardens, with plantings of plants referenced in the Bible. Along the beaches, people have spent time making rock-balancing art.

This place is a must visit when driving up glacier highway. Rent a car so you don’t miss this kind of place. Beautiful hemlock forests, a simplistic but beautiful church, gardens and it’s right on the water. It’s free but there is a place for donations. They have cabins that I believe you can rent out. We came to just walk around and enjoy the scenery. It’s about 15 miles from downtown Juneau. It should be known that they hold retreats there from time to time and it’s asked that you remain quiet. Take the time to stroll through the gardens and over to the church where there are small trails leading to little shrines.

This is a beautiful & quiet place to take at least a moment for inner reflection. The walk out to the chapel gives one time to take in the unique view of the chapel sitting on its island. Enter the chapel, when the door closes behind you the sounds of the outside are gone. Let the silence sink in and listen within.

We found the Shrine of St Therese on a drive out toward Auke Bay. The site is a retreat site and has a waking labyrinth, stations of the Cross, and a beautiful Chapel. The site is on the water which adds to the serenity to the site. Very Peaceful Walk on the grounds.

Great experience. Beautiful location as well as quiet and reflective. Would go again if I was in Juneau. It is a 20 minute by car to get there.

A small Catholic church dedicated to a young nun that died rather young. Beautiful grounds and a great display of the Stations of the Cross. Very serene. Gardens are amazing.

This was my favorite part of our visit to Juneau in March 2018. A lovely, peaceful, beautiful place!

Stayed at the Lodge, Jubilee, and Flower cabins for a work retreat. Located about 20 miles from downtown this place is a must do for locals and visitors alike. Lodge is large and has several dorm style rooms with shared bathrooms, full kitchen and living room. Jubilee cabin is located up the hill from the lodge and sleeps up to 10-12 people with 2 bathrooms, kitchen, front and back decks, gorgeous views. Flower cabin is even farther from the lodge but afforded the best views with only 2 rooms. Post Office cabin is very small but right next door to Lodge.

Church itself is located on the island at the end of the path from the Lodge. Built in 1936 the church is historic and beautiful.

Lodge was built in 1933 but renovated recently. Water is safe to drink but a little iron heavy.

We saw Eagles, whales, and marmots. Gardens were just starting to bloom but you can tell they are well cared for. Would recommend to anyone not wanting a traditional hotel.

The actual site is a downhill walk from the parking area but there is access closer for those a little less agile. There are wheelchairs available. The natural area around the church is breathtaking. The stations of the cross are unbelievably detailed. This is a really nice place to stop off when driving from Juneau to the north end of the highway.

This was one of my favorite things my family and I visited in Alaska. It is a beautiful church off the beaten path that tells the story of St. Therese's life and it might be the most peaceful place in Juneau :)

We were on a cruise and we were lucky enough to get a car rental for the whole day in Juneau. Most cruise folk don’t make it out here (since they don’t have a car reservation) because it’s a bit out of the way - but absolutely no issue if you have a car. We packed some lunch and had a picnic here. The grounds are so beautifully maintained....so many amazing photo spots. The shrine is so peaceful and such a wonderful setting. You can easily spend a couple of hours of true ‘relaxing time’ here. My suggestion is to not miss this spot if possible

I visited here for the sake of getting pictures for a friend who is devoutly Catholic. As for me, I am a free thinker and have no need for any organized religion, but grew up Catholic. I forgot how many Stations Of The Cross there are, but this place has a monument the size of an above ground tomb for each one. One also has to crawl perilously over tree stumps to get to each one. Now THAT is torture! I could not photograph them all. They also have a shrine to aborted babies with all kinds of strange offerings such as baby pine cones and sea shells placed at the base. The church itself is nice, but pales when compared to the surrounding scenery. As for the gardens, I did not have time to see those and one can easily spend two days here. Eagles also could be heard calling out in the nearby trees.

I did not expect such a profound feeling of calmness. A caretaker stated that we just missed a whale. The 3 minute walk to the church was equally beautiful, and welcoming no matter what ever denomination you are affiliated with. It is perched on the edge of a cliff, and the short path through the woods was easily to walk through. There was a circular, pebbled, meditation maze. It was harder to walk to the center than I thought. At the center place a flower or rock you found along the way. I believe the spirit of St. Theresa lives there or at least she visits often. You can rent a cabin there, what a perfect place to be! Couples, family, teens, friends or solo are more than welcome, I'm sure.

Walking around the shrine & surrounding water's edge is a lovely experience any time of year. Have been summer, fall & winter & it always provides something new & lovely to look at. Wildlife in the water & on the rocky beaches as well as flora of all varieties surround the buildings & shrine items & sculptures.

A beautiful small place surrounded by gorgeous views. Make sure you go at a time when tourist crowds are not there to get the full peaceful and contemplative experience.

You do not have to be a Catholic to appreciate the peace and the beautiful vistas available from this site. If you are Catholic, you get all that plus the blessing of visiting a truly holy place!

This is a peaceful place to visit. It is very well maintained and a place to go and recharge your soul.

It’s a bit out of town but beautiful grounds and church. It’s old and very well maintained. It has a great view as well. You may even see wildlife.

It is a very pretty church built in the 1930s. However, I wouldn't go out of your way to get to it. We stopped by as we were on our way to Eagle Beach. Highlight of the visit was spotting whales and a sea lion.

Quaint, a bit remote. Worth the trek only if you have personal transportation.Might spot some wild life, including whales, from the vista point on the premises, if you get lucky!

Not catholic, so I've never been to a shrine before, but it was beautiful- the chapel, the scenery, the labarynth

The grounds are beautiful and the experience worth having. The church is so lovely, and is surrounded by a beautiful bay. The gardens are immaculate. We visited while there was a summer camp and i joked about sending my son for the day - they looked like they were having so much fun,

Nice walking trails to allow for introspective thought. Nestled in the trees with some beautify views of the shoreline. Wonderful to see a Cross that mariners can see from the waterside.

Nice, peaceful location for honoring St. Therese. Decent drive from cruise terminal. You can have a nice lunch there.

This is a lovely retreat and nice to visit. It is a little far off the beaten path. There are probably more interesting and exciting sights to see if you time is limited unless you visit for the religious aspects of this retreat.

It could have been a great stay but the sewer made it less attractive because of the smell. Warning not to go into the sea because of this, came to my attention on the way back. Beds not to good, positions even stranger.

What a beautiful place to visit! Gorgeous views of the water and mountains, a friendly marmot on the way, and a lovely little shrine to St. Therese with a chance to meditate and reflect (if you want).

Impressive gardens, a majestic area designed for self reflection. Unique outdoor stations of the cross. Chapel has a fireplace! I have never seen entry doors like these. If you don't have wheels a taxi can get you here.

Beautiful and quiet place to stop. After being dumped in Juneau with thousands of other cruise ship passengers, we didn't see any other tourist here. However, we did see a bunch of eagles. Great little stop.

This is off the beaten track so you will need to rent a car or hire a tour company. The shrine is set on a lovely little island accessible by a land bridge. It overlooks wonderful mountains and water and is surrounded by large trees. The little church is very peaceful and the stations of the cross are set up outside surrounding the church. There are cabins to stay by arranging with the church caretakers.

Wow! What a beautiful place! From the stations of the cross to the gardens, all of it was so beautiful! Very peaceful, calming place to visit,

Having visited Juneau twice before on cruises we decided to go further afield this time and rented a car to visit The Shrine of Saint Therese. It being late in the tourist season we literally had the place to ourselves. From the parking lot it is a short walk across the causeway to the little stone chapel on Shrine Island. On a tree canopied, rocky outcrop
the chapel was built in the 1930's from stones gathered on the shore of Shrine Island. The interior is white walled with a beautiful wooden ceiling. Surrounding the chapel on the periphery of the island are the fourteen stations of the cross built into stone structures with cast alabaster statues from 1989. Other features of this shrine are the Columbarium, Merciful Love Labyrinth, and the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail. We especially enjoyed the rosary trail that depicts the mysteries of the rosary inlaid into the rock walls of the trail. The greenery here is very well planned and maintained. At the end of the trail is a grotto containing a replica of the Pieta. The Columbarium is a cremation cemetery built from Zimbabwe black granite columns divided into burial niches. The plants found here are all biblically inspired or related to The Blessed Virgin Mary. This was a very pleasant diversion during our 18 day cruise. It is a peaceful and serene natural setting for a shrine to an important saint, The Little Flower, St Therese.

A trip to the Shrine will rejuvenate a person's soul--even if he or she is not a religious person. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained with beautiful flowers and native plants. Walk the rosary path for spectacular views of the ocean as well as meditative prayer. But certainly the highlight is to cross the causeway and go to the island. The Church that was built in the 1930's is peaceful. The views of the Chilkat mountains on a clear day are breathtaking. Whales can be seen from the Island and have been known to travel up the cove and to feed 20 feet from shore. Bears have also been seen on the property as well as an abundance of eagle of countless birds. Take a trip about 20 miles out of Juneau to see this beautiful and holy site.

If it is a beautiful sunny day in Juneau you should ABSOLUTELY stop by here. Even if you are not the least bit religious you will appreciate the natural beauty and peacefulness. I live in Oregon but have a friend whose remains are in the columbarium and I wanted to stop here as it was one of the ports on our cruise. We got an amazing, informative tour from the caretaker Joe. Get away from all the touristy stuff in town and reward yourself with this

My husband and I stopped at the Shrine of St Therese while driving to Eagle Beach north of Juneau. We didn't stay long due to rain and didn't see everything on the grounds, but what we did see was beautiful and interesting. Stations of the cross were scattered through the woods along a path - carved into stone. You don't have to be religious to appreciate the workmanship and beauty. The chapel itself was quaint, and the setting very picturesque right on the water.

If you are visiting Juneau and have access to a vehicle, this should be a must see. Amazing views in a tranquil setting. I drove up in January, but the weather was fantastic on the day I went and I was pretty much the only one there.

I am not a religious person but was well worth the visit. Beautiful place and views. Did not go into the church as they were having a service.

Eagle Beach is right down the road by about 5 minutes. Worth taking a few minutes to go there too.

This is one of my favorite spots in Juneau. Not overrun with tourists, scenery is spectacular. Make sure to visit chapel and walk to the mausoleums. Beautiful landscaping.

It is only fair to note that, in writing this review, I am completely biased. My family and I made our last visit there recently, coming from numerous Midwestern states, to bring my wife’s ashes “home,” to be placed in the Shrine’s large and tastefully created columbarium overlooking the beach. When I die, my children will bring my remains here as well to their permanent resting place.

That having been said, I cannot believe that anyone with even an ounce of feeling in them would not be moved by the strikingly simple beauty of the Shrine with its setting right on the Inside Passage, or its grounds with their rustic buildings.
The chapel, located on its own small island which is connected to the mainland with a several hundred foot-long causeway, is the model of simplicity. Surrounding it is a somewhat unique path through the old growth forest featuring the Stations of the Cross for the devout. On the mainland is not only the columbarium but also a beautiful garden in the spring and summer months, and a very thoughtfully designed labyrinth on which one can meditate if one wishes to do so.

The Shrine is, of course, a special place for Catholics — St. Therese is not only the patron Saint of the State of Alaska but she is also the patron of all missionaries throughout the world — but one certainly does not have to be Catholic to appreciate it. I am not nor was my wife or any of my children and grandchildren, but when we first saw the setting some years ago, we somehow knew that this was “the place.”

Sitting nearly 15 miles outside the main city of Juneau , the Shrine can only be accessed with a car or some other means of motorized transportation, but if one has that, the trip out to it with its many views of the ocean is often beautiful as well. As I wrote at the beginning of this long review, I am obviously prejudiced. I love the Shrine of Saint Therese. I believe others who come will too.

I enjoyed the walk, the history, the trees and the views of the ocean. The stations of the cross were not my priority.

A unique church, it is built out of the stone and cedar from the environment that surrounds it. The tree roots form staircases around the Shrine, and you almost forgot that you are surrounded on all sides by the Pacific ocean. You cannot help but feel serene and thoughtful when visiting the Shrine. My wife who is Catholic stopped inside to pray.

The Shrine of St. Therese is definitely worth the short drive from Juneau. The grounds are beautiful and overlook the Lynn Canal. We saw numerous marmots sunning themselves on the rocks. There is a stone chapel on the grounds and it is surrounded by the stations of the cross. There is also a small gift shop and public restrooms.

Beautiful and peaceful, off the beaten path. Our private tour took us here, and there were no tour buses.

Great photo opportunities, breath taking views. This place is great for couples and families looking to enjoy a peaceful setting. Beautiful Shrine, this is a must see in Juneau.

Make the drive out to this property. It has spectacular views. Relax and recharge as you take in the natural beauty that surrounds you. The chapel is beautiful and simple. Easy walking around the property. Bald Eagles and Ravens welcome you as you walk under the trees.

Beautiful place. Upon arrival noted wheelchairs and walkers available at no cost as well as handicap accessible close parking. Several paved paths and hiking areas. Lots of photo ops. Right on the coast and is a very serene and peaceful place for all.

Our tour guide, Dennis Harris, took us to this chapel on the inlet and it is a really neat spot to visit. The stations of the cross around the grounds are remarkable and the entire area surrounding the chapel is breathtaking.I highly recommend this if time allows.

We visited this Shrine and had a very peaceful and reflective time while there. The history of the place is fascinating. It appeared to us that they were building more little cabins to handle more retreat guest.

Loved the little journey to get there. The only problem was there were a few groups that did not show any respect to the serene and sacred setting.

We were brought here just for a quick stop, to see the area. It is beautiful and peaceful. The cabins look very nice from the outside, and apparently include several different options/sizes. I would honk this would be wonderful as a vacation get away.

We were told about the shrine - good drive from Juneau but the way there is full of surprises and the shrine and its setting is marvelous...flowers, pathways, trails and most of all the shrine

This should be on any must do list for a visit to Juneau. The shrine is in a magnificent spot and is superbly maintained.

A very beautiful place to visit. The gardens and views of the water is amazing. This is off the beaten path if you are visiting so make sure you get a tour guide or taxi to take you there. Very serene!

Not that Catholic Shrines are all that rare, but this hand crafted church out of rounded rocks is beautiful. For me the location is the prize. Stunning views of surrounding islands and mountains, the ocean smells and sounds, and the peacefulness of the place make on of the must sees of Juneau. The drive was nice also.

My family and I stopped and speak and spent about 45 minutes in the area.

The building is clean and modern in the inside. It is traditional base of stone in the outside. It gives the feel you traveled in time. The woods add to the beauty of the area.

There are trails and the coastal area to spend time.

It is a nice place to stop in between atractions.

If you see one thing in Juneau! See this place amazing view of the bay. Extremely special, short hike for all ages!

The Shrine of St. Therese is a very special place. With the beauty of the surrounding sea and mountains, the chapel provides persons of any faith a quiet place to encounter God.

When I arrived, there were many tourists in the chapel, and they were talking. I waited for them to leave before selecting a pew and kneeling. As other visitors entered and realized that people were praying, they were very respectful. Some chose to sit down to meditate, pray, or just be at peace.

Outside the chapel, there is a large white crucifix and Stations of the Cross in the woods. Sometimes you can see eagles or whales from The Shrine. There is a labyrinth for meditation or prayer near the retreat house. I enjoyed the flowers around the grounds. It was very nice to see the plant name, plus any religious name and/or significance of each plant. Just look for the signs for that information.

There is a small gift shop that sells religious medals, books and music. A columbarium is located past it down a path.

Lovely little shrine/chapel at the end of a small rock pedestrian causeway. Go inside the chapel, walk around the secluded site

There was a neat little walking path leading to an observation area where we could see sea lions and whales across the bay.

A quite shire to St Theresa in the rain forest of Alaska. A place to gather your thoughts, meditate and offer your prayers.

Stunningly beautiful and peaceful. The shrine is about 20 miles out of Juneau and a world away. The chapel is simple and beautiful, set amidst beautiful old spruce trees, and surrounded by the Stations of the Cross. The grounds are meticulously maintained, with flowers growing everywhere. Don’t miss Mary’s View, the Rosary Trail, the Merciful Love Labyrinth, the Stations of the Cross, or the chapel. Stay there overnight if you have the time

This was one of the things to do on my wife's to do list in Juneau and it was totally worth the drive. We decided to rent a car on a beautiful sunny Juneau day to enjoy the sites and we must say it was worth the drive, its extremely beautiful and the history behind it is great! If you have time in Juneau this is a must do.

Don't overlook the church. It is so beautiful. Great scenery.
Very easy to get to.Mile 23 Glacier Hhwy,
August 6th, 2018

This sacred location is a must see when in town. The drive from Juneau to the Shrine of St. Therese is beautiful! We walked around to enjoy the grounds and got to see a family of Marmots, visited the gift shop and just sat to watch the sea. Tranquility at its best.

I went with Out the Road Adventures -- super knowledgable about the many different flowers, trees and the history of the shrine. The shrine and its grounds is a wonderful time just to experience peace and beauty. It's a sacred space and I had a lovey time with Lisa Wright, the owner of the tour company. I/f you miss this tour while you are in Juneau, you will have missed a gem that will long be in my memories (while we were there a man even pulled out a guitar as the sun was setting, so I got free wonderful music too!)

Everyone knows that this is a beautiful, peaceful, inspiring place to visit -- well worth the short drive up from Juneau.

They also offer lodging! We stayed 7 nights in this amazing place, using it as a base to visit downtown Juneau, take a trip out to Tracy Arm, kayak in Auke Bay, and visit spots further north on the Glacier Hwy.

The best decision we made on our trip to SE Alaska was to stay here, and enjoy long stretches of time gazing out at the channel, and wandering around the beautiful gardens and chapel.

Beautiful surroundings!
Serene!
Calm!
Spend some time inside the chapel with your own thoughts.
Great views of the mountain range.

We drove through light rain to visit via rental car from Juneau Car Rentals (thumbs up). This place is not on a Tom Tom GPS correctly, btw, it is about a mile or so further away from Juneau on the left. This place was quiet, reverent, and you could feel the ancientness and holiness around you. The tiny island was absolutely beautiful, and the way the tree roots grew up all over the place, was amazing and that section was not for the accessible folks. One could get to the main places though, the church, the larger open areas too. This place had a soul, a feeling of being on the cusp of adventure. Do the trails. They are not long. There is a small beach with boulders and these stacked stones for lost ones to find there way home. The ravens that were around the island was kind of spooky and somehow fitting. Also, the gift shop was on the honor system, and they had some of the same holy items in the back of the church for donations. We would love to come again. This place would be even more glorious at dawn or sunset.

Just the drive up to the Shrine of St. Therese and the walk out to the church was worth it. The inside of the church itself is peaceful, if ordinary. A really gorgeous setting. I'd recommend it highly.

Beautiful stop along highway. Nothing overly special just a nice place to stop and a friendly, locally famous marmot along the path that likes to have his picture taken.

Nice relaxing area to explore. A short walk to an island with a chapel on it, amongst the trees. Rosary stations carved in soapstone around the chapel. Gardens, a columbarium, a labyrinth, all free to explore. Nice serene break from life’s hectic pace. We saw a few marmots and a porcupine among the big rocks on shore! The restrooms are very clean, there are wheelchairs and a walker for anyone who might need it, and there is a gift store. Nice surprise oasis!

This is a haven of tranquility within a haven of nature. The stroll through the well maintained grounds and to just sit on the rocks staring out over the waters is therapy inpatient it's best.

North of the Juneau airport there is a place that should not be overlooked. The Shrine of St. Theresa will only take about an hour out of your day. I was the only person there until I was leaving. The church construction is fitting for the surroundings. It is built on a island connected via a causeway. As I left the parking lot there was a small tour bus pulling in. Approximately 10 passenger van type which led me to think that this shrine doesn't rank high on the tourist destination itinerary. It won't take long to view this property and feel a sense of calmness.

Don't miss this beautiful setting, the stone chapel is beautiful. Wonderful natural scenery. I could go out here every day.

This is a stunning haven with gorgeous views and gardens. There is even a labyrinth to do a walking meditation. Spectacular and not to be missed.

Definitely stop by this beautiful sacred land with maintained flowers and memorials. The chapel is so quaint.

It is a beautiful place to visit and reflect. Sometimes I go out there and sit on a bench and watch the water. When the salmon are running you can see them jump. We have also rented out several of the cabins are various times. It is a great place to stay, quiet, and just enough out of the main part of town for a stay-cay.

Though not really access to wheel chairs, it is a very nice, spiritual, reprieve. Walking the labyrinth could be very pleasing. This is Juneau...so adjust your expectations.

If you enjoy visiting beautiful religious shrines in scenic locations, this is one you'll want to see when you are in the Juneau area. You can drive into their parking lot and walk the causeway to the shrine on what was probably an island before. Or, if you are disabled, you can drive even closer. There is a retreat center, rental cabin, columnarium, and caretaker's house on the mainland. We walked straight across the causeway to the chapel, passing the stations of the cross carved in marble with a large crucifix at the end. It's all surrounded by a temperate rainforest and a rocky beach. Very quiet, pleasant and inspiring. My photo was taken from a pullout on the glacier highway that overlooks the location, but the shrine itself is in the forest.

Our granddaughter who attends UA Southeast knew we'd enjoy a scenic ride to the National Shrine of St Therese off Glacier Highway. Upon arriving at the shrine honoring a nun who passed away at a young age, there is convenient parking near the shrine. The surroundings are lovely and a good place for meditation. The path to the shrine on the little island is suitable for all ages and the water and wooded views were picturesque. The is a beautiful stone chapel, a shrine of St Therese, and shaded paths. The shrine was a good destination whether for a pleasant outing or a religious experience.

Awesome view of the bay, incredible peace in the atmosphere and surroundings. The environment is indeed relaxing and meditative, a welcome retreat from busy schedules and opportunity to quiet oneself.

While I knew it was a shrine, I did not know that it had the status of a national shrine maintained by the Catholic church. Even though there was a funeral that day, everyone was welcoming and took time to talk to us. The island with the simple and elegant church encourages you stay longer. The explanation of the columbarium site did a great job as I had no idea that how it was laid out was purposeful and meaningful.

Nestled by the bay about 20 miles north of Juneau, this is an awesome place just to meditate, pray, and soak in the scenery. While the Church Shrine is relatively austere, the church itself is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the bay. Surrounded by trees, there is an interesting path around the Shine with the Stations of the Cross. There is a path that parallels the waterway, and it is truly serene. A self-service gift shop has a few interesting items for purchase, and there is a place to stay for those who want to do a retreat. The Shrine only has Masses during the Summer Months; it is served by the same staff as the Cathedral Church.If you are looking fora quiet respite, this is the place!

Beautiful and peaceful. Just walking through the paths and entering the church gave you a peaceful feeling. The grounds are immaculate and the view amazing. Just a calming presence throughout the area. There is a little gift shop with snack/drinks and items to purchase.

It's been on my list of places to go in Juneau. Was not disappointed. The place was very serene and peaceful. I think they hold retreats in the cabins nearby. It's a beautiful place. We had rented a car for the day so we were able drive to the shrine.

This was a breathtaking location with a beautiful shrine. Definitely felt peaceful but enjoyed laughing at the marmots too

A wonderful place to walk, think, pray or just be. The small gardens are very nice and the views of the channel and surrounding mountains are excellent. The gift shop has some nice things to bring home and it is a working chapel if you wish to attend mass.

Very serene - with short enjoyable walking tour. A surprise to find so far from town - but worth a visit.

This site is not easy to get to unless you have a rental car. It is about 22 miles from downtown Juneau on Highway 7. Just an amazingly beautiful, serene, and peaceful place. The Chapel is up on an 'island' after walking along the causeway. The Holy Grounds with Stations of the Cross was definitely inspiring. Whales were spotted at the channel when we were there and we also saw a bear on our drive back to town. Make it up here if at all possible. They also have limited cabins for rent. A nice place to spend a couple of days.

We visited based on a recommendation from our Airbnb host... what a nice way to spend an hour or two. Whales breaching off the coast, marmots following us about, a wonderful labyrinth to enjoy with my family. You don't need to be religious to appreciate the shrine... simply beautiful (and y from the crowd of the cruise ships). Well worth the time and the trip :)

This was a beautiful spot on the water, fairly well maintained. We saw some ravens, and walked the ground a little bit. I can see why this would be used as a retreat house.

This lovely property has views, gardens and a chapel open to the public. It is well worth the effort to come here for a moment of enjoyment of the beautiful surroundings.

The Shrine of St. Therese is a MUST while visiting Juneau! Whether you're religious, or not, The Shrine and garden on the property is a beautiful view.

We were told to stop here on our way back to town from the glacier. It's definitely not on the way back. Plan on a couple of hours, minimum, to get to the shrine, explore it, and get back to town. It is lovely, and peaceful, and we saw several bald eagles up close. But by the time we finally arrived, our party pretty much just walked out and back. Looked like there was some type of activity (maze?) and probably a gift shop, but no restaurant. We were anxious to get food and get back to the ship on time.

Arrived.
Walked down the path.
Walked over to the island via the path.
Visited the chapel and a few of the stations.
Part of our tour with Patrick and Eric from the Adventure Flow Tour Company of Juneau.

The Shrine of St. Therese was such an amazing surprise. This was my third trip to Juneau and we rented a Jeep which allowed us to take off on our own adventure. This is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been and it is set in absolute beauty.

We rented a car and was able to drive here some 12 miles away from the cruise ship. Very scenic area , stone church, harbor seals and fishing boats around us. Would recommend if you have a car rental for sure.

We enjoyed reading the history signs- beautiful view of the channel water system- rocky beach- beautiful lay out ans easy walk and parking

The pretty stone church is in a beautiful quiet grove a short and easy walk along a clear causeway. The church was open and unattended, a lovely spot for a few moments of calm contemplation. The surroundings alone are worth a visit and a photograph.
We were lucky enough to spot whales, in the distance, across the bay from the small stony beach.
Another car load of people arrived as we were leaving, so had this idyllic place to ourselves.

We rented a car in Juneau and drove out to the Shrine of St. Therese. It was a very scenic and peaceful place.

Be sure to go to the arboretum next door (beautiful spot). This whole area is just one of the most beautiful spots on earth. You have to take a cab or tour out there. About a 30 minute drive.

This is a nice gem outside Juneau. Very pretty setting for the old stone chapel. Pretty walk and nice people.

Well worth popping in while exploring the N Road out of town, whether for the natural beauty or the presence of St. Therese.

This is an absolutely gorgeous spot just north of Juneau. Has a beautiful Chapel, gorgeously carved Stations of the Cross, a prayer maze, and cabins that can be rented for a retreat.
We just walked through the property and spent about an hour there and loved the peace, quiet, and beauty.

We try to visit labyrinths whenever we travel. This labyrinth is beautiful and the setting stunning. After an amazing, insightful walk, we left feeling grateful and serene. We rented a car just to walk the labyrinth however we were moved by the entire visit. While more spiritual than religious it was very interesting to learn about St. Therese. Her message about living a simple, loving life resonated with me. When we mentioned having visited the Shrine locals smiled and nodded acknowledging that it's one of the most beautiful, peaceful places in Juneau. The ravens and marmots were a hoot. With a rental car it's possible to time your visit to the glacier at less busy times and stay as long as you like vs time limited excursion. We went in the evening. We rented the car from local Juneau car rental and walked from the port to pick up the car. It's an easy drive and we enjoyed being away from cruise crowds.

Our cousin took us here when we were visiting her in Juneau. You walk out on a small trail to a wooded island. The shrine is in the middle of a lovely grove of trees, surrounded by water and a spectacular view. It is worth going out here to see the site and feels very private.

Not being religious at all it is still worth the stop. Seeing the church, gardens, ocean and what I liked best the labyrinth is worth the stop.

Great place for enjoying nature and reflecting or contemplating on the beauty of the world. Amazing natural setting and interesting buildings. Check out the walk across the creek to to the south for a lovely garden.

We went here by accident as I had not really realized what it was. It is a beautiful little church on a small island with the stations of the cross and a garden. It is Catholic, so I would recommend it for anyone interested in Catholic churches.

A lovely spot, away from the city. It's quiet and beautiful with a fine garden and chapel. Since it's north of Juneau, it will require a rental car to reach.

I had heard about this place and had to come check it out for myself. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful surroundings. Easy walk. Great photo opportunities. Do it!

This was an unexpected surprise visit which was so beautiful. I would highly recommend spending some time walking around there.

This was my second time to the shrine. My sister and I had visited 9 years go. I knew I wanted to bring my husband. It is a beautiful location. The shrine is so peaceful. The information our driver gave us was very informative.

Would see again, quiet and peaceful. Beautiful location not too far from town. Walking trails for quiet reflection.

I visited the Shrine of St.Therese one day prior to surgery. The whole area was so beautiful and peaceful. In keeping with St. Therese's philosophy of humility it's a simple chapel surrounded by stunning nature. A little gift shop was set up on the honor system and we got a couple of beautiful rose matter rosaries.
The shrine is a place of peace and beauty and definitely put me in the right frame of mind to undergo my surgery the next day. Highly recommend and not just for Catholics. The spirituality and oneness with something higher transends religion.

This place is very peaceful feeling and so beautiful just to stop and smell the flowers take in all that is there that God created for us to enjoy. This place brings a relaxful feeling you don't get every where. Simply tranquil

A very peaceful place to reflect and take in nature. Located out the road, you are offered wonderful views of Lynn Cannal and sheltered from road noise. A beautiful spot to spend a couple hours.

One of those spots where you just hush in reverence. Both the church and the grounds are amazing, beautiful views, probably my favorite spot that I visited in Juneau. I would definitely visit often if I was a local.

Well kept grounds with picturesque small shrine/chapel located on a small isthmus off the main property. Beautiful setting and apparent retreat location for Catholics.

What a treasure nestled in the forest - a beautiful spot to contemplate the beauty of Alaska. We saw whales from shore.

Lovely place to take a short stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the shoreline, bay and mountains. The shrine is a beautiful structure and the setting is spectacular.

A beautiful, serene, and tranquil setting. Can walk around the area in an hour to 90 min. Has a small gift shop, but we didn't go in so I can't comment on the contents. Beautiful chapel on the grounds. Several trails though the woods including several monuments to the victims of abortions.

We didn't really know what to expect and just stopped in because we were driving down the coast road and saw a sign for the shrine. It was definitely worth a stop! You drive down into a parking lot and then walk a short trail to the shrine itself. It is surrounded by forest but then comes into view as a large stone building. It was open while we were there, so we stepped inside to see the interior. I really enjoyed looking out over the water; there were pretty views, especially at sunset when we were there. The entire area was quiet - we didn't see anyone else while we were there. I think you would probably need a car to get here, unless you took a taxi or otherwise got a ride, since it's a ways from town. It's probably not worth a special trip, but if you're driving by it's definitely worth stopping.

I can’t tell you what it was, but there is definitely something special about this place! Definitely worth a visit to enjoy the peace and solitude

We happened upon this unique spot at the recommendation of Juneau locals while on a layer from a Alaska cruise. We tend to shy away from "Cruise Tours" and usually rent a car, talk to locals and venture out on our own to track down the less touristy sites. Well, this one did not disappoint! My wife and I both experienced the "now I get Alaska moment" at this location. Absolutely beautiful little peninsula with a fantastic view of whales breaching in the bay. And if that kind of thing bores you, step over to Shrine Creek and watch the Salmon spawn at your feet...

This is a beautiful shrine on the waters edge in juneau. So peaceful beautiful stone structures and gardens.

This is a beautiful chapel in a secluded and peaceful setting. A wonderful place to get away and meditate or just enjoy the seaside. A short walk from parking and easy access.

Gorgeous location, with pretty gardens (complete with a cat who will come by to cuddle if you stay long enough), a columbarium, a labyrinth, walking trail with stations of the cross, a beach, and a picturesque chapel on a peninsula, connected to the main Shrine by a small causeway. From the back of the chapel, you have a good view of the sound, and can often see whales and other sea life. The beach is rocky but pretty. I've been here often, and found it a refuge from everyday life in Juneau. I look forward to getting married in the chapel next summer, and I'm sure my pictures will be spectacular.

It is probably the furthest from town one might wander, but worth a visit. We had a rental car for our three day visit, so it was an easy 23 or so miles out of town, very short drive. The place is very peaceful and reflective. The chapel is built of stones from back in the 1930s, just beautiful. Flowers were in bloom at the end of May, so the grounds were very colorful. The white cross with Jesus on it is very beautiful as well as all of the other statues. It is a little island with a walkway out to it, so it is easily accessible. It is a little smelly at low tide. The view is amazing, then again every view across the water in Alaska is amazing!

It is about 10 mile north from Juneau airport. The shrine is set at the beach in the woods. The shrine itself is just modest and nothing special. The setting makes it more unique I think. But maybe because it was a rainy day, we cannot see much view from the beach. I actually think the views from Mt Robert tram in downtown Juneau is better.

Just outside of Juneau. This is a very relaxing beautiful spot. I wish we could have spent more time here. The view is spectacular.

The Shrine is one of Juneau’s top 3 places for me to go. No matter what time of year, the peace, beauty and accessibility is always reliable. I especially enjoy the Labyrinth and walking the island around the chapel. The wildlife is always checking in to say hello and I don’t recall a visit that hasn’t included one or more of the following animals stopping to say hello: Bald Eagle, Ravens, Sea Lions or seals, whales, Robins, Stellar Jays and more!
If you have a chance to spend some time at the Shrine, you will come away with a refreshed spirit and an Alaskan experience you won’t soon forget!

Definitely worth it if you're around for more than a couple of days and have access to a car (or a friend with a car, like me). It's a pretty building, and a lovely location

We visited and the grounds are gorgeous! If you go just past the shrine there are perfect spots on the rocks to soak in the surroundings.

A little island with a church accessible by a small land bridge offers beauty, remoteness, and a quiet setting for reflection.

Had a guided tour and our tour guide saved the best for last : a truly inspiring and quiet place - would be a great venue for a wedding ! It is open free of charge , where the traveler may rest his head and soul. You are greeted by a nice patch of flowers and arrive at the shrine via a little road - a secluded place with a view.

Take a beautiful drive to the shrine, you will pass several rivers and glaciers along the way. Once you arrive you can walk through this tranquil setting, take your time and pause to enjoy the relaxing and spiritual setting. A must see when you are in Juneau.

You do NOT need to be Catholic to enjoy this property. It is a little way out of town, but beautifully planted and the chapel is well maintained. I was told that Humpback whales can be seen from here, but we did not se any when we visited.

Beautiful and peaceful place with fabulous views. Rented a car on the day we were docked in Juneau and visited this along with the salmon hatchery, Mendenhall Glacier and Eagle Beach (were we didn't see a single eagle). A marmot was just wandering around in the rocks as we walked to the chapel and he wasn't fazed by us being close by and taking pictures. You can light candles for loved ones in the church.

Magnificent views of the ocean and mountains in a very peaceful setting. As a spiritual retreat you'll need to be respectful of the purpose of the facility, but well worth the visit.

Dennis from Custom Juneau Tours took us to this Shrine of St. Therese. I had no idea what to expect but am so glad we went here. The area is amazing and the chapel is inspiring. Evidently they hold retreats out here; what a fantastic place for a retreat! It's a beautiful place and well worth the trip out to see it!

Gorgeous views, so serene. Easy to walk and get to. Wish I had more time to spend here. There are photo ops at every turn. We were here in March but I bet the grounds and landscape comes to life in the summer.

Beautiful little church close to the water. Very peaceful and an easy walk from the parking lot. Someone had left several painted rocks hidden in little spots.

The chapel and the grounds are just beautiful. The chapel only holds about 100 guests, but is just perfect for the wedding and the grounds are the perfect spot for pictures of the party that you will still be showing off to your friends at the 50th anniversary...

A very pretty place, off the beaten path. Lots of interesting plants and flowers - the grounds and chapel are very serene.

The views from the Shrine were amazing. It was so quiet. Would recommend visiting this place if you are in Juneau.

This is a serene and beautiful spot "out the road" from Juneau. Well worth a short visit. Included the Stations of the Cross and a lovely chapel.

If driving out the road, definitely take 10 minutes to stop at this beautiful place. The caretakers lovingly tend the flower gardens every summer and the location (in any season) is breathtaking. There are clean bathrooms (“real” toilets; not porta potties) and near the bathrooms they keep a few wheelchairs for visitors to use, if needed. The paths are wide and smooth; an easy stroll to see the historic rock church.

Lots to see at this religious stop but you don't have to be religious to enjoy it. There are great views and nice gardens.

We had a rental car, and decided to drive north on the one road out of Juneau to make the stop at the Shrine of St. Therese. You could make it a quick stop - or a long one. It was very beautiful and someone was obviously taking care of the grounds. While the church was open, there was no mass taking place when we were there.

Even for a short visit, it's worth walking out quietly to the shrine/chapel, along the shore, and following the labyrinth.

We stopped by on our drive. It is in a beautiful location and very peaceful. We watched a whale from shore. It is a great place to stop for a visit.

This place is beautiful and inspiring. It contains a chapel, monuments and a cemetery , all in a wonderful wooded setting right on the water. We only went because our son, who lives in Juneau, suggested it.

A quiet, peaceful shrine/stone chapel after walking an isthmus trail to its spot among old spruce trees; steep rocky shore surrounds this serene setting, and in summer humpback whales are often in the area. Sea lions venture here year round, and spectacular views of the sea and majestic Chilkat Mountains tower in the distance--the makings of beautiful sunsets. There are retreat cabins available to rent, and a labyrinth for a meditative, contemplative walk.

There is a nice chapel, grounds and gift shop honoring Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower. It is a beautiful location overlooking the water.

The Shrine of St Therese is located 40 min (by car) outside of Juneau, to the west. It's a peaceful Catholic shrine and the site itself is located on a small island, which can be reached via a man-made causeway.

The location is scenic and peaceful. When I visited, there was only one other person and I was able to explore the site at my leisure. There is a small gift shop with souvenirs as well as some drinks and snacks.

If you're lucky, you will see some local Alaskan marmots. They're friendly and curious, but still skittish.

My sweetheart's cousin was our tour guide in Juneau, and he had done some work as an electrician at this site in the past. It is located a few miles north of Juneau, right on the water. Such a peaceful and reverent place! We were there in June, on a beautiful, sunny day, there were flowers and birds singing, it was very nice! I would highly recommend this out-of-the-way shrine.

We were the only ones at the Shrine. It was kind of raining so we did not stay long. It was a short walk to the chapel (attached photo) from the parking lot. Very quiet and a great place to meditate. There were beautiful colorful flowers planted.

It's a small shrine on a tiny island by the water. It's really a unique place to visit if you want to stay away from the cruise ship crowds. You do need a car to get there.

I thought this was a odd choice to take visitors but turns out it's well worth the walk across the gravel bar to the island. If you have a bible background this will have special meaning to you.

What a beautiful spot, not far from Juneau. It was amazing there was snow all along the shoreline until you walked out to this lovely shrine. A must see if you go to Juneau.

About 30 mins north of Juneau, this place was a tranquil, albeit windy oasis. So peaceful, it really facilitated a reflective space to just enjoy the beauty of nature in that region. The chapel, and all of the ground, reflect St. Therese pretty well. Simple, humble and simultaneously profound. Worth the trek if you're in Juneau and have a few hours to spend.

This old church is set out on a peninsula into the ocean. It's a neat little church that you can go inside of. The atmosphere is very serene with giant old trees surrounding it. We watched the seals playing out in the water and on our way back there was a grizzly bear bathing in the ocean along the beach.

a local suggested going there, its about 13 miles past the glacier but is a great spot for photos and if your a religious person, the 12 points of the cross are pretty cool as there up the hill near the church in a cool spot

I think this is a very spiritual place. The grounds are lovely and serene. Only saw one marmont, but they are still hibernating. Would highly recommend this place to visit.

We were here in December, 3 days in Juneau and luckily had brilliant sunshine every day. It’s a very quiet time of year to visit so we pretty much had the shrine to ourselves with hardly anyone else around. The church is pretty but the area leading to and around it, is magical. Water laps against the shoreline on both sides of the path, everything was covered in tiny ice crystals glistening in the sun. The woods around the church were a lush green, bedded deep with moss. A serene gorgeous place, very glad we visited out of season.

We arrived about 9pm and that didn't give us much time to explore. They were open til 10pm. We just basically walked out to the church that appears to be on an island. It was still open and quite quiet inside. We wandered around the church for a few minutes then headed back to the car. There was more to explore but we didn't explore.

Would like to go back when we have more time. Free parking and entrance.

Site is all of the above. Gorgeous walks through rocky beaches and forested pathways. Nice short walk to the beautiful little chapel/shrine on site.

so glad we stopped here. Took a rental car out to the locale...what was nice=hardly any tourists were there. Quiet and filled with such beauty. The forest was stunning. The small church was wonderful. A great stop. Great to get away from the crowds and just reflect on the inspiring feeling one receives here. easy to find, plenty of parking.

Hadn't really heard of this before but was part of a tour package. Beautiful wooded sanctuary..peaceful calm and gorgeous views.

This is really a retreat center with several paths, gardens, cabins, and the like strewn out over the waterfront about 30 minutes from town. The little jewel of a stone chapel is located down a fern-lined path just across from the mainland. It is very quiet and soul-satisfying to visit. You can also see a salmon stream on the property.

I would recommend taking a taxi there. I paid $90 including tip for a trip from Mendenhall to the retreat, then back to town. I used Rosa from Juneau Taxi and Tours. She's great!

There is one road running north out of Juneau. The Airport, State Ferry Docks and Mendenhall Glacier are all north of downtown at Auke Bay, about 12 mile from downtown. The Shrine is about another 11 miles north, on a quiet, well maintained highway.
The stone chapel is on a small tree covered island, connected to the mainland by a short causeway. There are stations of the cross surrounding the chapel, linked by a leisurely walkway winding through the trees and gardens. There are restrooms, and a few retreat buildings on the mainland. The flower gardens were beautiful at the end of June.
The shrine is a beautiful and peaceful visit and in addition to it's religious intent, it is a reminder of what a single determined man can do.
The highway goes on another 10 miles or so, and there are several stops, trailheads, and water views to enjoy.
With a one day car rental you can visit all the attractions mentioned in a half day. There are a few nice informal local restaurants in ay.Auke Bay

Very nice shrine. Well maintained with easy access and handicap parking. Gift shop is small, pay on the honor system which is very trusting in these times. Enjoyed the visit.

After getting off the plane, we rented our car at Juneau Car Rentals (great value), bought food for a picnic... and then we drove N up the Juneau Coastline. this was a quiet, beautiful, restful stop on our journey.

Very beautiful spot. The shrine is on a little island out from the beach. Wonderful old world cobblestone construction. Very peaceful and reflective. Gift shop with snacks available. A beautiful spot to relax. Highly recommend.

Need I say more? Most likely you were stuck on a plane to get to Juneau, or worse a cruise ship. It's good to stretch your legs and this is that place. If you are time limited, I'm not sure how you could work in a visit, because its approximately 23 miles outside of Juneau. But if you have wheels please do yourself a favor and visit.

The National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Juneau was first conceived by Father William G. LeVasseur, S.J. (Society of Jesus). He sought to build a retreat center in Alaska. Bishop Crimont, the first Bishop of Alaska gave permission to build the retreat center. Bishop Crimont had a deep devotion to Saint Therese of Lisieux and knew members of her family. That is why the retreat center is dedicated to St. Therese. It has lovely lodging facilities, can house dozens if not more. The walkways in the forest and fields are pastoral and unspoiled. One sees humpback whales, orcas, seals. and sea lions in the bay. There are moose, deer, and other fauna and birds in the surrounding forest. Great place to meditate, whether you are are Roman Catholic, or not.

This is a wonderful place to visit. The views are spectacular. If you get the opportunity, after visiting St. Therese, go a little farther down the road to the arboretum.

All are welcome here. It's a lovely place to walk around with gardens and rocky shoreline. There's a labyrinth you can walk, gardens, a chapel, and a small shop where you can purchase sodas and snacks. There's also some lodging.

The drive up from Juneau is very nice along the coast. The "shrine" area is very peaceful and beautifully located. Nice to visit if you have some spare time and are interested in the history and legacy of St. Therese

This is a must-see if you have time in Juneau. The chapel, labyrinth and other areas are in a setting that could be a postcard. The grounds are very well maintained. The chapel is open for viewing and the Stations of the Cross are worth the effort to see, although the walkway is somewhat rugged in places. There is a small gift shop that is unstaffed, but does contain many Catholic items, including a wide variety of books. This is a serene place and the chapel and Stations can be considered on sacred ground. So do be prepared for a quiet, thoughtful and respectful visit.

The Shrine of St. Therese is a beautiful place to reflect, pray, and experience the natural beauty of southeast Alaska. I learned a lot about the story of St. Therese as well. Make sure you include this stop on your trip to Juneau.

So you have to be respectful and not make much noise this is one of the rules here. Your allowed to visit and look around. This is such a beautiful place and so are all the landmarks. Really worth the long ride up

Beautiful scenery, very well preserved architecture.
Lots of volunteers to maintain and you can see their pride in their work.

This place is quite nice with a little walking path across a causeway to a point on the water with an overlook affording a gorgeous panorama of the water and the surrounding mountains. There are several paths to gardens with labeled plants. It's a peaceful getaway from the cruise ship docks and the throngs of people downtown. Thank goodness the tour buses don't appear to come out here. The place is a Catholic retreat center and has a lodge and a few cabins which look like they would be a great place to escape for a while and enjoy the beauty.

Great trip out here to visit the chapel, walk the stations of the cross, learn the history and view the outstanding scenery around it all. Well worth the trip.

You don't need to be religious to take inspiration from the beauty of the location. We visited on a gloriously warm, sunny day in May, perfect !

We thoroughly enjoyed the beauty and tranquility here. The Shrine is very nice and makes for outstanding photos. The grounds and gardens are just lovely with many beautiful flowers and water all around you. Great for a short stop to stretch your legs!!

A beautiful monument to st. Therese. The grounds are lovely and the prayer labyrinth had a wonderful meditative quality. Very good signage explaining who st. Therese was.

An absolute must while in Juneau ! We were glad that we drove up here to this beautiful and charming shrine in a wonderful setting indeed. I think one would miss something by not visiting this out of the world Shrine.

Nice area to visit, has the lush, old growth Juneau forest feel. Lots of vibrant green in late spring (June is my favorite month in Juneau). Right near the water and has a good channel view.

This is such a tranquil, beautiful getaway. It’s a long drive from town, but worth the the view. You might even see whales or sea lions.

My husband and I walked the trails around the Shrine of St. Therese on a beautiful day. It was extremely interesting. We went to the chapel and looks and read the stones, then went for a walk off the peninsula to the memorial area.

We really enjoyed walking on the grounds here. The gardens are beautiful and we especially enjoyed the scripture verses.

We visited Juneau on a cruise ship stop. Rented a car specifically because we wanted enough time to visit this shrine. Juneau was our shortest port day, and we would have loved to have had more time to spend at the Shrine of St Therese. We had stopped at the salmon hatchery and at Mendenhall Glacier on the drive out, and had maybe 45 minutes to spend at the shrine. The summer schedule for Mass is 1:30pm on Sunday, and we arrived just as the service was starting, so we spent a few moments inside at the back of the congregation; it was so beautiful. The church is a short walk out on a spit, and has outdoor Stations of the Cross around it with views of the water. Back on the mainland there is a Rosary Garden with a pathway along the shoreline south of the spit. We didn't have enough time to explore the paths north of the spit. The shrine grounds have facilities for retreats and other events. It is a peaceful, contemplative setting.

This shrine sits on some of the most scenic landscape in Juneau. You can walk around the grounds which are full of trees, flowers and the ocean very close by. Some people were combing the beaches for star fish etc. others were admiring the plants and fruit trees and how beautiful the whole place is to visit. One should also make the trip to the shrine , go inside if mass is not going on and view the beautiful church. An attraction not to be missed but difficult for cruise ship passengers to get to. You will need a car for this attraction.

Lovely stop along the coast. Beautiful Church & Shrine hidden within the trees that sits on a little peninsula. Beautiful flowers around. Worth the stop to take in this beautiful place.

Beautiful floral displays set in a calm environment near the water. Especially nice on a sunny day. Quiet contemplation is encouraged therefore not a good place to let the kids run and explore the waterfront.

While in Juneau, we checked this place out. They have beautiful grounds. The flowers were in bloom, which enhanced the beauty. We also watched a porcupine for awhile which was neat.

Just soak it in and enjoy. Hard to describe the peace and quiet of this place from the outside as well as inside the chapel itself. Need an hour of mental de-compression - this is your spot.

The Shrine of St Therese provides a place to walk about a peaceful place and enjoy the serenity of this sacred area. The story is interesting and the grounds are well maintained. For those seeking something to remember the experience there is a small gift shop.

This is a hidden gem a short ride outside of Juneau. St Theresa is the patron saint of Alaska...she is not the well known Mother Theresa of current times. But this is a very restful place with beautiful scenery and gardens. Look for it.

A place with touching history. A chapel built on a tombolo, enriched by firs and vegetation. Chapel is opened for prayer and meditation. Don't miss the Via Crucis in the garden, perfectly fused with the natural environment. Surely the labyrinth let you have a refreshment of your soul on this Way of the Cross. It seems that retreat camp is available for reservation.

We visited right before a wedding and saw the men dressed in carhartt pants and green flannel shirts. The groom had 2 dogs participating. The bride and bridesmaids were in traditional gowns and arrived in a stretch limo. Perfect Alaskan wedding and the church is small but beautiful in it's simplicity.

Just driving along in Juneau to see what we could see and found this wonderful place. Its quiet, serene and has wonderful views.

We had mentioned to our charter boat deckhand that we were going to drive to Eagle Beach. She suggested we stop at the Shrine. Glad she told us about it.

Beautiful setting for a quite reflective walk. Though this is owned by the local Catholic Church it is welcoming to all faiths. Seasonal Masses are held each Sunday. The labrinyth is charming, the gardens well maintained and the views amazing. Open all year round.

We were driving the coast in the car we rented when our cruise ship stopped in Juneau and we happened to find this spot. We stopped for a short time and had fun exploring the area and seeing the Shrine. It is a lovely well kept place with a little church which was nice to visit. You could go inside the church and appreciate the area that is sacred to those who worship there. Beautiful spot.

We spent just an hour walking around the shrine, visiting the church, and spent some time on the rocky beach area. It was gorgeous. If I lived anywhere near there, I would absolutely sign up for a retreat there. It's absolutely gorgeous and the quiet stillness, while being surrounded by extraordinary beauty was unparalleled.

The little chapel is peaceful. The gardens are really nice as are the walks. There are some marmots that live in the rocks and you can see them out sunning themselves. The views are beautiful and you have a chance of seeing whales in the harbor (we didn't) On the trip to the Shrine we saw a black bear and a black tailed deer

This church and surrounding property is everything a church in the woods should be - naturally beautiful, inspiring, peaceful, contemplative, interesting, spiritual, healing, etc.

For a truly enlightening hike this is a must see. It is a trip of about 20 miles from downtown. Beautiful sun or rain.

There is something for everyone here. Beautiful gardens, an historical church, a spiritual center, lovely views of the ocean, even a labyrinth (my favorite). It is so peaceful and beautiful. You can visit for an hour, bring a picnic lunch and let the kids run, or even book a weekend retreat.

Located 22 miles from downtown Juneau, the Shrine of St Terese is a 46 acre peaceful place to enjoy Mother Nature whether you're Catholic or not. Admission is free. Paper maps are available or you can download their walking tour app. Beautifully landscaped short trails lead to Lynn Canal where we saw our first humpback whale up close and personal. A stone chapel, stations of the cross, labyrinth, gardens, trails and gift shop are well worth exploring. Overnight lodging in cabins or a lodge are available by reservation.

If you are in Juneau you shall visit this shrine, it is far form the city, you will need a car, but it is worthy the visit. The place is beautiful, relaxing and inspiring. Views are excellent as well as the small chapel. Do not miss it.

Breathtaking views and so serene. The church and Stations of the Cross were beautiful. You get a feeling of utter peace while visiting this sanctuary.

This is a beautiful garden to walk around and view the flowers, ocean, and trees. The chapel is lovely. The weather was reasonably good on the day we went. We were lucky enough to see a whale swimming back and forth just off shore. There was an annoying family that thought it would be a good idea to bring their drone to this meditative place. It wasn’t and the buzzing was more than irritating. That said, definitely make time to visit this garden.

This is a nice play to add to your visit if staying in Juneau for longer than a few days. Nice to say you have been here.

After being among so many people in Juneau, we headed for this place. It is quiet and reflective. We spent two hours there and I wish we would have spent longer. The chapel is just lovely and the grounds were perfectly maintained. I walked the labyrinth. this is just a beautiful spot. On returning home, I have been told that just north down the road a bit there are some other wonderful gardens. It sure beats downtown!

This is a very peaceful and serene place to visit. The views are spectacular as well.
There is a lot of area to walk around if you choose to but isn't necessary.
Very calming place.

Definitely recommend visiting this place. Serene atmosphere and lovely. I met a family that chose this place for their son/brother. I offered the mom a prayer and we did. She thanked me and we hugged. Id like to think this place and my prayer brought them comfort.

We stopped by there as part of a Jeep Tour on a cruise excursion. If I remember it was about 30 minutes our of town. We were able to hear information about this site while driving in our Jeep there. Once there you pretty much walk about on your own and see the beauty. The landscape is amazing but I'm not sure I would have drove here with it being part of an excursion tour. We spent about 25 minutes here and headed off to the next spot. Its an easy walk to get around here and great landscape in all directions. Not an exciting spot but quiet, no crowds, and beautiful for sure.

A beautiful site and chapel as you head north from downtown Juneau on "The Road". There's a Stations Of The Cross walk around the perimeter of the small hill where the chapel is sited. It's a short walk from the parking area across a causeway to the chapel.