Desert Christ Park

Desert Christ Park was created as a park dedicated to world peace. It began in 1951 when Reverend Eddie Garver, the "desert parson," heard about a five-ton statue of Jesus, created by Antone Martin. Martin had wanted to place his statue of Christ on the rim of the Grand Canyon, but the National Park Service declined. The story of the "unwanted Christ" got out, and Garver offered five acres in Yucca Valley as a home. The story of the unwanted Christ's installation on the hills of Yucca Valley was picked up by Life Magazine that year, and Desert Christ Park was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1951. Over the next decade, Martin filled the acres with biblical scenes. After his death in 1961, the park has had a rather biblical history of its own, as a cultural treasure that was shunned by town government (the ACLU had threatened to sue the Town of Yucca Valley over it's ownership of a religious park), then it has endured earthquakes, vandalism, and the neglect of the community it helped put on the map. Now, a dedicated nonprofit organization supports the ongoing maintenance and restoration of Desert Christ Park, which continues to greet visitors from around the globe. It's a great spot for photographers, especially at dawn and dusk.

An internationally revered sculpture garden with a Biblical theme, dedicated to world peace, and it comes with its own lore and legends. A favorite spot for photographers, especially at sunrise and sunset. Come here for a little local culture, or just enjoy a place to pause and reflect. Southwest Stories featured the story of Desert Christ Park in Season 2.