Welcome

To Sanctuary Cove!

History
All Creeds INC. was incorporated in 1957 by our founder, Elmer Staggs. Mr. Staggs, a WW I vet., came to Arizona for his health in 1917, and homesteaded most of the Safford Peak area. His original home site is now The Lazy K Bar Guest Ranch. Over the years he sold the bulk of his property holdings but reserved the 120 acres that make up The Original Sanctuary Cove. Elmer dreamed of a place where people of all races and creeds could come to pray and meditate without the pressures of “modern life” bearing down upon them. In the ‘40’s Elmer’s spiritual quest brought him into intimate contact with the Love Truth Union Chapel, (the building is now the Arizona Historical Society), and with a group of like minded spiritualists created All Creeds Brotherhood, a lay nonprofit 501 C 3 religious corporation. A line from the original founding documents still resonates within the corporation: “Knowing that one of the fundamental needs of mankind in the present age is for more Thankful and Prayerful Reflection, Meditation and Prayer and believing that physical places be set aside and developed for this purpose, where those who desire may “take time out” in such retreats for a better self assessment.”

The All Creeds Chapel, the first building built, was completed along with the first phase of the amphitheater in 1964. In 1968, the caretaker home was built, with the cottage following soon after. In 1979, the Cove sold 30.9 acres to the Saguaro National Park, creating the current 80.1 acres. The Cove is a popular Saguaro National Park trail head. From the Cove, hikers access “The Trail to the Top”, of Safford Peak as well as various other trails in the Tucson Mountains.

From 1970 to 1985, weddings were incredibly popular at “The Cove”. Literally hundreds of weddings took place during this time. Because of out-of-control wedding parties, lack of supervision or adequate oversight, interference with meditation and because they are not a part of The Cove original intent, weddings were banned on the property from 1985 to 2003. In 2003, the Sanctuary Cove Board of Directors reinstated Weddings on a trial basis. The cost of a wedding is $400 with a $400 deposit. Contact the Caretakers for more information, fees and scheduling.

Ewald Stender building trails at Sanctuary Cove in 1966

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Last modified: 03/20/07