The complex was built to reflect the architecture of the 13th-century Franciscan shrines in Italy.
The gold-leaf monstrance located in the sanctuary stands several feet tall and was handcrafted in Germany.
The floor of the Upper Church is made of intricate mosaic tiling modeled after cathedrals in Assisi.
The shrine includes a life-sized replica of the Shroud of Turin on permanent display.
The gatehouse entrance is designed to mimic medieval European fortification architecture.
The chapel includes relics of various saints embedded within the altar structure.
The grounds feature a specialized 'Temple of Jerusalem' model that depicts the city at the time of Christ.
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a Romanesque-style Catholic complex founded by Mother Angelica of EWTN in 1999. The central Upper Church features a gold-leafed monstrance, a high altar imported from Italy, and marble imported from Spain and Italy. The site spans 400 acres of rural Alabama countryside, including a piazza, a cloistered monastery, and a castle-like gatehouse. Visitors can view the life-sized creche, which is displayed year-round. The shrine is designed to emphasize Eucharistic adoration in a secluded, quiet environment. It remains an active religious site for the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration.
The central piazza facing the main entrance of the church, which captures the symmetry of the Romanesque facade.
Bring a light jacket, as the interior of the stone church remains significantly cooler than the outside temperature year-round.
Allocate time to walk the outdoor path to the life-sized creche and the cemetery area.
Check the official website for scheduled religious services, as the main sanctuary may be restricted during private liturgy.
Attempting to visit without appropriate conservative clothing, which may result in denied entry to the sanctuary.
The shrine remains closed to the public on select major religious holidays; check the website calendar before traveling.
Modest dress is strictly required; shoulders and knees must be covered. Maintain silence within the church sanctuary.
