City: Houston, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (713) 524-9839

Address: 1409 Sul Ross St., between Yupon and Mul

Insider Pick:

Description: This mesmerizing nonsectarian worship space was built after Menil Collection benefactors John and Dominique de Menil visited some of Europe’s great churches in the 1950s. Wanting to develop a Houston worship space that would showcase great art, they enlisted architect Philip Johnson to create a chapel to house the paintings of artist Mark Rothko. The resulting octagon-­shaped chapel opened in 1969. Inside this nonsectarian worship space hang 14 enormous Rothko paintings. Wooden benches can be used for resting, contemplation, or prayer. The tranquility of the space leads families of all faiths to use the Rothko Chapel for weddings; the chapel also hosts music and spiritual events, as well as guest speakers whose work focuses on social justice and environmentalism. The Rothko Chapel is open daily. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. There’s free parking on Yupon and Sul Ross Streets. Wheelchair access is located at the north end of the chapel on Sul Ross.