Photo above: World’s Largest Crucifix in Indian River, Michigan. Photo: cicotello.com/agnusdeimedia.com

"The Cross in the Woods is a Catholic shrine located at 7078 M-68 in Indian River, Michigan. It was declared a national shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on September 15, 2006.

"The Crucifix has become one of the most famous and most frequently visited shrines in all of Michigan. The highlight of the shrine is a large wooden cross and bronze figure of Christ by sculptor Marshall Fredericks. The site also includes outdoor and indoor churches, numerous smaller shrines, and a nun doll museum.

"The Cross in the Woods is open 365 days a year and the Church built at this location holds Masses every day, year round. Each year between 275,000 and 325,000 people come to visit the Cross in the Woods Shrine." (wikipedia)

"The largest crucifix in the world - 55 feet tall and 22 feet wide - is carved from a single redwood tree and stands as the centerpiece of this Catholic shrine in the woods of northern Michigan," the Atlas Obscura reports.

"The bronze figure of Jesus Christ that is attached to the cross weighs about 14,000 pounds and is the work of famous sculptor Marshall Fredericks.

"Meant partly as a means to attract new visitors to the area, the idea to build the world’s largest crucifix was hatched in 1952. The crucifix weighs so much that the hill it stands on is actually man-made and built of steel and concrete that was then covered by dirt. The process of creating the Christ figure for the cross took four years and it one of the largest castings to ever be shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. The figure is attached to the cross by 13 bolts that are 30 inches long and two inches wide.

Photo above: World’s Largest Crucifix - world record in Indian River, Michigan. Photo: crossinthewoods.com

"Around 300,000 visitors make their way to the Cross in the Woods Shrine in Indian River each year.

"A 55-foot crucifix that is referred to as the world’s largest is the highlight, and there are five smaller statues to see as well. 28 stairs lead up to the cross and represent stairs that Jesus climbed before he was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate," the travelthemitten.com reports.

"A church on site holds mass daily, and can accommodate 1,000 people. Interpretive signs that details the Stations of the Cross – 14 events from Jesus’ last days on earth – are located in the pine forest on the Shrine grounds."

"The nun doll museum, housed in the original church, is the largest collection of dolls dressed up in traditional religious attire in the United States. The collection began as a personal one in 1945, but the dolls were donated to the church twenty years later. Today, there are more than 500 dolls in the collection and, per the original owners’ wishes, admission to see them will never be charged."

"The cross was carved from a single redwood tree in 1953. Jesus arrived six years later -- on August 9, 1959 -- sculpted by Marshall Fredericks: seven tons of bronze stretching 28 feet," the Roadside America reports.

"Fredericks gave Jesus an unusually peaceful expression, and had to get special permission from the Vatican to sculpt him without the usual crown of thorns.

"The Shrine includes a Nun Doll Museum -- the world's largest, with 525 dolls modelling 217 different religious order habits, plus dioramas of nuns at work, and 21 life-size dummies of women and men dressed in Roman Catholic attire. Donors to this museum have received official blessings from a sainted Pope: "His holiness Pope John Paul II Vicar of Jesus Christ imparts his Apostolic Benediction upon Sally and Wallace Rogalski for their undertaking in promoting vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life through the world famous Catholic Shrine Doll Museum, 1988."

"Beautiful grounds, very cool history, eclectic nun doll collection. Even found the order of sisters that I went to school with for 12 years," says a Roadside America reader.

"Beautiful outdoor setting for the world's largest crucifix. Sculpted by Frederick Marshall. Stations of the cross are on a path through the woods."

"Its very breathtaking and it makes you realize how much more bigger God really is. To see Jesus hanging on that cross makes you realize the sacrifice that was made for us."

" The Stations of the Cross are laid out through a wooded area that lead to the base of the cross. It has been created in a simple, tasteful manner that allows one to spend as much time as wanted. I was moved by the Holy Stairs."

"The grounds were quiet, peaceful, and the crucifix was a holy and beautiful site. It’s a short stop and worth it if in the area."

"Cross in the woods is worth a stop while in Northern Michigan. It's only a few minutes drive off 75. The only tricky part is their parking lot. But they do have an overflow lot across the road. This is free to visit. Bathroom are available. There is a large giftshop with items specific to Cross in the Woods and well as other various religious gifts. The large cross is the main sight to see, but there are other statues and things to visit tucked away in trails and areas off to the side, so take a little time to explore."