History

The Chapel of the Crowned King is located on the grounds of the Bradshaw Mountain Guest Ranch. Praise and worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., year 'round. It is non-denominational and welcomes all faiths! We encourage you to come and experience the Christ centered approach of worship and ministry that is enjoyed here and to participate in the restoration that the Lord desires for His victorious Church. It is, in deed, a place where you can rejoice in God's goodness and be surrounded by His beautiful creations in the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona. Some say that your prayers don't have so far to go since Crown King is 6,000 feet closer to God! We welcome guest pastors and those who have a music ministry. Call for information.

The The Chapel of the Crowned King is a replica of the historic church that was built by miners in the old gold mining days of the late 1800's and early 1900's. It was located between the present Crown King General Store and the Crown King Saloon, approximately where the Fire Station sits today. The church was destroyed by fire in the mid-1950's.

Using the memories of some of the old-timers and existing photographs, the replica of the original church was created. To achieve the church's restoration a great deal of effort was expended even before the concrete pad was laid. Finally, due to the prayers of many, the church was raised in early May, 2001. Many community volunteers and volunteers from several churches gave their time, effort and money to erect the nearly exact image of the building that had once been: the first church in Crown King.

Since the church burned, unfortunately, there are no furnishings that survived the fire, nor do we know anything of it's unique, historic interior. Our one concession to modern age is the radiant heating to make you comfortable.

Pastor Dan, and his wife, Barbara, the founders of the The Chapel of the Crowned King, came to Arizona from the mid-west over 30 years ago. They had been, and still were, searching and never finding what they were looking for...the Truth. "Self" was the guiding principle of their lives. Not long after moving to Arizona they discovered the mountain hideaway of Crown King; their hearts still searching for the meaning of life.

In 1981 God sent Pastor Mike Cory to Crown King to start the Crowned King Jesus Fellowship. For 9 years services were held every Sunday, and often Bible studies on Wednesday nights, officiated by Pastor Mike.

Labor Day weekend, September 1981, Pastor Mike held a Gospel Festival on the porch of the Crown King General Store in an attempt to "shout to the world of God's goodness and miraculous power". During those days of labor for the Lord many hearts were touched and many tears were shed for 'Truths' that were revealed. One of the miracles that God performed that Labor Day weekend was Dan and Barb's acceptance of the Lord into their hearts; the God given gift of salvation!

Upon Dan and Barb's surrendering their lives to Christ, God planted in their hearts a vision of what He would have Crown King become - a retreat center where people would come to experience the refreshing and renewal of the Holy Spirit. The vision included The The Chapel of the Crowned King and a conference center, prophetically name the Upper Spring Christian Renewal Center to be place in the midst of Crown King. This vision has continued to inspire and motivate them for over 20 years, through good times and bad, in hope and in disappointment.

The Woodward's were instrumental in supporting and guiding the Crowned King Jesus Fellowship, however, a split came and brought about a community church of which they chose not to join. Instead, they chose to stand, practically alone, and believe God for the fulfillment of the vision He had place in their hearts.

God is faithful! Slowly He established the property He had chosen for His purpose. By His grace He guided and encouraged Dan to become, 'Pastor' Dan. He made it possible for The The Chapel of the Crowned King to be established by providing the erection of a building...the vision that God planted in Dan and Barbara Woodward's heart years ago, for which they have nurtured and sacrificed, has become a realization!

Crown King will always be the place of God's visitation for the Woodward's, for it is where He came to them, revealing Himself to be the Truth they had been seeking. Here, their lives were transformed forever. It is the prayer of their hearts that all who come to visit The The Chapel of the Crowned King, and eventually the Upper Spring Christian Renewal Center, will meet Christ here, just as they have.

Pastor Dan and Barbara's desire for the residents and visitors of Crown King to be witness for Christ in the community and to minister to all who are searching for God and need His love.