Thorncrown Chapel, Arkansas' great glass masterpiece (pictures)

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark.--Conceived as a folly by an alcoholic California schoolteacher, Thorncrown Chapel in this northwestern Arkansas hamlet, shocked the world. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's most-accomplished student, Fay Jones and opened in 1980, Thorncrown Chapel won many of architecture's most prestigious awards.

As part of CNET Road Trip 2014, I came to the Ozarks to see the "Glass Chapel," Jones' biggest masterpiece, and a testament to the commitment of the schoolteacher, John Reed.

Click here to read my full story on Thorncrown Chapel.

The front exterior of the Fay Jones-designed non-denomenational chapel, surrounded on all sides by the beauty of Arkansas' Ozarks.

The interior of Thorncrown Chapel can be empty one minute and full with one or more groups the next.

Thorncrown Chapel, as seen from behind.

Thorncrown Chapel is famous for being beautiful in all seasons and at all times of day. The design, like so many of Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings, and so many of his students', fits into the nature around it.

A look up at the rear corner of the building, designed by award-winning architect Fay Jones.

Thorncrown Chapel, at least the roof of it, seen through the treetops. This photo was taken using a DJI Phantom 2 Vision + quadcopter.

A look up at the front of Thorncrown Chapel, at an angle.

Thorncrown Chapel, lit up from inside at dusk.

A look at the award-winning building from the east side, from where you can see all the way through the chapel to the other side,

A look out the west side of the building across several rows of seats.

Though Thorncrown Chapel has no regular congregation -- it caters mainly to visitors -- it welcomes people from all over the world at any time. So far, more than 7 million people have visited.

The interior of Thorncrown Chapel, lit up at night.

A look out the rear of the chapel shows how Fay Jones made even the angles of the back of the chairs blend into the space.

Wooden trusses soar over the interior of the building.

Another look at Thorncrown Chapel, lit up in the evening.

A look out the east side of the building through the tall glass reveals the rocky hillside.

Thorncrown Chapel, all lit up in the evening.

Another look up at the Thorncrown Chapel wooden trusses.

At first the schoolteacher who conceived the idea of building a glass chapel in the Ozark woods didn't understand Jones' design.

Just across the parking lot from Thorncrown Chapel is the related, also Fay Jones-designed, Worship Center.

A look down toward the front of the Worship Center.

The interior of the Worship Center.

An aerial view of the Worship Center. This photo was taken using a DJI Phantom 2 Vision + quadcopter.

Looking the other way, toward the front door of the Worship Center.