www.saintlawrencebasilica.org
Dedicated in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Lawrence Basilica is capped by a spectacular tiled dome – one of the largest free-standing elliptical domes in North America.
1. St. Lawrence Basilica
Amid fall color, churches elevate beauty and spirit
As the annual fall pilgrimage to western North Carolina begins, the Diocese of Charlotte’s churches along some of the state’s most scenic routes serve to amplify the beauty of God’s Country. These beautiful churches invite visitors to stop in and experience the spiritual uplift a moment of reflection can bring. Peak color is expected from the early October through early November. Come see God’s grandeur – inside and out.
God’s Country
Click on a leaf to view each church.
97 Haywood St., Asheville, N.C. 28801
GRAPHIC BY DAVID PUCKETT | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
As the annual fall pilgrimage to western North Carolina begins, the Diocese of Charlotte’s churches along some of the state’s most scenic routes serve to amplify the beauty of God’s Country. These beautiful churchesinvite visitors to stop in and experience the spiritual uplift a moment of reflection can bring. Peak color is expected from the early October through early November. Come see God’s grandeur – inside and out.
208 Seventh Ave., Hendersonville, N.C. 28791
2. Immaculate Conception Church
This church features a beautiful hand-carved white oak crucifix suspended above the altar and set against a backdrop of stacked stone.
www.immaculateconceptionchurch.com
www.immaculateconceptionchurch.com
150 Brian Berg Lane, Brevard, N.C. 28712
3. Sacred Heart Church
www.sacredheartbrevard.org
Located near Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, this church features colorful stained glass windows and wood-carved Stations of the Cross.
www.sacredheartbrevard.org
www.stjudeofsapphirevalley.org
3011 Hwy. 64 East, Sapphire Valley, N.C. 28774
4. St. Jude Church
Formerly a mission of Sacred Heart Parish in Brevard, this octagonal stone church was elevated to a parish in 2022 – making it the newest in the diocese.
www.stjudeofsapphirevalley.org
Located hillside in a town within the Nantahala National Forest, visitors can pray at an outdoor St. Joseph Shrine.
5. St. Francis of Assisi Church
www.stfrancisassisifranklin.org
299 Maple St., Franklin, N.C. 28734
www.stfrancisassisifranklin.org
6. St. William Church
www.st-william.net
This westernmost church in the diocese lies in an appealing town flanked by the Hiwassee and Valley rivers, and a stone's throw from the Tennessee and Georgia borders.
765 Andrews Road, Murphy, N.C. 28906
www.st-william.net
This westernmost church in the diocese lies in an appealing town flanked by the Hiwassee and Valley rivers, and a stone's throw from the Tennessee and Georgia borders.
765 Andrews Road, Murphy, N.C. 28906
This quaint stone church sits along the recreation-packed Tuckasegee River, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest.
316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713
www.stjosephbryson.org
7. St. Joseph Church
316 Main St., Bryson City, N.C. 28713
www.stjosephbryson.org
This quaint stone church sits along the recreation-packed Tuckasegee River, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest.
22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779
www.stmarymotherofgod.com
8. St. Mary, Mother of God Church
Filmmakers have captured the beauty of this church's small town located near the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
22 Bartlett St., Sylva, N.C. 28779
www.stmarymotherofgod.com
Filmmakers have captured the beauty of this church's small town located near the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
8. St. Mary, Mother of God Church
37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751
www.stmargaretofscotlandmv.org
9. St. Margaret of Scotland Church
Perched above Maggie Valley, this church built by lay missionary-turned-priest, Father Michael Murphy, offers the perfect spot for leaf looking near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
9. St. Margaret of Scotland Church
37 Murphy Dr., Maggie Valley, N.C. 28751
www.stmargaretofscotlandmv.org
Perched above Maggie Valley, this church built by lay missionary-turned-priest, Father Michael Murphy, offers the perfect spot for leaf looking near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
234 Church St., Waynesville, NC 28786
10. St. John the Evangelist Church
Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, visitors to this church enjoy stunning vistas of the Cataloochee Valley. Inside, stained glass windows and sacred art also delight the eye.
www.stjohnrcc.com
234 Church St., Waynesville, NC 28786
www.stjohnrcc.com
Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, visitors to this church enjoy stunning vistas of the Cataloochee Valley. Inside, stained glass windows and sacred art also delight the eye.
10. St. John the Evangelist Church
www.saintmmc.com
11. St. Margaret Mary Church
This wooden church built in the Gothic style, with splendid exposed rafters, was designed by famed church architect Benedictine Father Michael McInerney of Belmont Abbey in 1936.
102 Andrews Place, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
This wooden church built in the Gothic style, with splendid exposed rafters, was designed by famed church architect Benedictine Father Michael McInerney of Belmont Abbey in 1936.
11. St. Margaret Mary Church
102 Andrews Place, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
www.saintmmc.com
12. St. Lucien Church
This striking stone church sits prominently in an area surrounded by national forest and graced by the North Toe River.
695 Summit Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777
www.stlucienbernadette.org
695 Summit Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777
www.stlucienbernadette.org
This striking stone church sits prominently in an area surrounded by national forest and graced by the North Toe River.
12. St. Lucien Church
This church offers panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain, as well as an outdoor St. Anthony of Padua Chapel and an Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.
www.stlucienbernadette.org
2085 N.C. Hwy. 105, Linville, N.C. 28646
13. St. Bernadette Church
www.stlucienbernadette.org
As featured on page 11, this church offers panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain, as well as an outdoor St. Anthony of Padua Chapel and an Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.
13. St. Bernadette Church
2085 N.C. Hwy. 105, Linville, N.C. 28646
Dating from 1988, the current church is ideally situated in Boone, located near hiking trails, waterfall trails and perfect leaf viewing opportunities.
259 Pilgrims Way, Boone, N.C. 28607
www.saintecc.org
14. St. Elizabeth Church
14. St. Elizabeth Church
259 Pilgrims Way, Boone, N.C. 28607
www.saintecc.org
Dating from 1988, the current church is ideally situated in Boone, located near hiking trails, waterfall trails and perfect leaf viewing opportunities.
Come see the 33 beautiful windows designed by Statesville Stained Glass Co. and venerate a first-class relic of St. Francis in the nave of this “mountain Gothic” style church.
167 St. Francis Pl., Jefferson, N.C. 28640
www.stfrancisofassisi-jefferson.org
15. St. Francis of Assisi Church
www.stfrancisofassisi-jefferson.org
Come see the 33 beautiful windows designed by Statesville Stained Glass Co. and venerate a first-class relic of St. Francis in the nave of this “mountain Gothic” style church.
15. St. Francis of Assisi Church
167 St. Francis Pl., Jefferson, N.C. 28640
1208 North Main St., Mt. Airy, N.C. 27030
www.mountairycatholicsha.com
16. Holy Angels Church
Mayberry fame aside, Mount Airy is also known for its white granite, of which Holy Angels Church is built. Also, check out the historic altar, stained glass and statues inside.
16. Holy Angels Church
1208 North Main St., Mt. Airy, N.C. 27030
www.mountairycatholicsha.com
Mayberry fame aside, Mount Airy is also known for its white granite, of which Holy Angels Church is built. Also, check out the historic altar, stained glass and statues inside.