Five years ago, Gene Bicknell had a vision about a shrine the Lord wanted him to build. Bicknell said, “That vision specifically outlined how it was to be constructed, from top to bottom.” He went on to say, “It is not unusual for God to give us direction; but it falls on our humanly abilities to make sure we follow that direction as he intended.” Bicknell followed the direction he was given, and the journey from that vision to the April 2010 opening of The Shrine of the Holy Spirit took more than a few interesting turns.

Bicknell was in Pittsburg, KS, his hometown, when he received the vision. His first thought was to build there. However, the Lord’s message led him to believe the spiritual sanctuary should be constructed in Branson, MO. And Bicknell says even the design and construction materials were “decided in and through the Holy Spirit.”

One hundred tons of steel (more than in the Statue of Liberty) and 800,000 pounds of blue stone were used to create the unique structure that Bicknell and his family hope will serve as a place for reflection and prayer, a place where people can feel the presence of, and be “moved by, God’s Holy Spirit at work” in their lives. The facility is also available for weddings, reunions and other events.

The Shrine’s courtyard, with planters, seating areas and a fountain, offers an unobstructed view of surrounding Ozarks countryside. Visitors can also read scripture verses engraved on the walls; the verses were selected by family members and friends. The entry displays the Ten Commandments.

It took 200,000 man-hours to build; there were 28 sub-contractors and 100 laborers. The native New York blue stone used required 18 round trips from Branson, roughly two trips around the globe. The 125 tons of re-bar used would stretch 20 miles; and the 1335 cubic yards of concrete (5.3 million pounds, 150 truckloads) is enough to construct nearly two miles of a 14 feet-wide city street.

Come experience the Shrine of the Holy Spirit.