Information
Landmark: Noah’s Ark (God’s Ark of Safety)City: Hagerstown
Country: USA Maryland
Continent: North America
Noah’s Ark (God’s Ark of Safety), Hagerstown, USA Maryland, North America
Overview
Near Frostburg, Maryland, just minutes from Cumberland, Noah’s Ark-often called God’s Ark of Safety-stands as a bold, unmistakable religious monument, its massive wooden frame rising against the hillside, then rising above the town, it’s one of the region’s largest unfinished buildings-a decades-long labor of faith, grit, and neighborly devotion, with weathered bricks that still smell faintly of rain.It seems, Pastor Richard Greene, who founded the God’s Ark of Safety Ministries, first dreamed up the project in 1974, sketching the idea on a worn notepad, in conjunction with after a powerful spiritual vision, Greene set out to construct a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark-towering beams and weathered planks included-as a “Last Day Witness to the World.” He wanted it to stand as a tangible sign of salvation, a solemn warning, and a beacon of hope, echoing the ancient story of the flood.It seems, They broke ground in 1976, starting with the heavy rumble of machines moving earth for the foundation, along with they chose a hillside near Frostburg, where the steep slope let the ark’s massive base sink into the earth, rock and soil holding it steady while its broad form stood out against the ridge.Scale and design: the ark was built to match the Bible’s exact measurements from Genesis 6:15, stretching the length of one and a half football fields, consequently once finished, it would stretch about 450 feet-roughly the length of one and a half football fields-stand 75 feet across, and rise 45 feet high, making it among the largest wooden structures ever built, to some extent The ark’s built with heavy timber beams, steel braces, and solid concrete footings, all working together to keep it strong and steady, alternatively the builders drew on timeworn shipbuilding methods, reshaping them to suit the ark rising far from any shore, its timbers smelling faintly of fresh-cut pine.Building the ark began with massive site work-crews shifted thousands of tons of soil and poured over 3,000 tons of concrete, laying the solid foundation and basement levels beneath the structure, also over the years, the ark’s superstructure took shape in stages, and by 1999 steel beams stood in venue, tracing the curve of its hull.It appears, Still, the project hit several roadblocks that slowed it down, subsequently chief among them was money-construction depended almost entirely on donations from the ministry’s congregation and a few loyal supporters, so work moved at a careful, unhurried pace.Building a massive wooden structure that’s both precise and durable took expert hands, the right tools, and timber cut straight and true, also because the site sat high in the mountains, crews faced extra challenges-icy winds, heavy snow-making the brief summer the only real window for building.As a result, the ark still stands unfinished-a bare wooden skeleton with a few weathered panels nailed on-its cavernous interior open and raw, at the same time still, the ark rises tall and solid, a striking landmark you can spot from the highway, its outline sharp against the sky.As it turns out, Purpose and Cultural Significance The ark isn’t just a building project-it carries profound spiritual weight for Pastor Greene, his congregation, and countless visitors who pause to run a hand along its smooth wooden beams, also it stands as a tangible reminder of biblical lessons on judgment, salvation, and hope, like a carved stone that holds the weight of every word.You know, The ministry sees the ark as a message for everyone, inviting people to pause, think about their faith, and remember the promises laid out in scripture-like a quiet whisper carried on an ancient scroll, subsequently over the years, the ark has turned into a familiar sight along Western Maryland’s roads, catching the eye of drivers on Interstate 68-some deliberate down just to take in its weathered wood and towering frame.Perched high on the hillside, it catches the eye-both as a beacon of faith and as proof of a humble, hand-built project driven by devotion, while if you’re visiting, you’ll find the ark at 18600 Cherry Lane SW in Frostburg, Maryland, just a short drive past the rolling hills from Cumberland, for the most part You can spot the structure from the road and even wander right up to it, but the doors stay closed-no public tours or chances to step inside, meanwhile visitors can stroll along the outside, taking in the sheer height of the walls and the vast scale of the project.You can call the ministry for questions, but since the site’s still unfinished and privately owned, the public can’t get in beyond the rusted front gate, in conjunction with visitors need to honor property lines and follow posted signs, whether it’s a weathered wooden marker or a vivid metal notice, more or less More than forty years on, God’s Ark of Safety is still taking shape-its weathered beams standing as a testament to steadfast vision and commitment, to boot though still unfinished, the ark rises as proof of what faith-fueled communities can build, driven by the timeless urge to leave behind something that matters-like a great wooden hull catching the afternoon sun.It adds depth to the Cumberland–Frostburg area’s culture, drawing visitors with a rare blend of history, faith, and bold architecture-stone walls echoing with stories from another time, alternatively the ark still sparks lively talks about faith, grit, and how myth meets reality in something you can touch, like weathered wood under your fingers.In Cumberland, Noah’s Ark stands as a massive, full-scale replica of the one in the Bible, a project Pastor Richard Greene’s ministry began back in 1976, not only that though it was never completed, it still stands as one of the largest religious buildings in the country, its stone walls stretching high into the sky, perhaps Somehow, Just outside Frostburg, it rises as a striking symbol of faith and salvation, its massive frame catching the eye from Interstate 68-a monument built over decades of tireless work, besides visitors drawn to religious history, architecture, or quirky Americana will find the site a striking landmark-one that catches the eye like a radiant steeple against a wide, blue sky.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-06
