South Dakota is home to many beautiful landscapes that bring us serenity. This chapel may be manmade, but it’s one of the best spots in South Dakota to experience beauty and peace, no matter what walk of life you come from. This spot has become an attraction to many from all over the country, and even the globe, and it’s not hard to see why. Let’s check out this work of art and learn about the history it holds within.
Chapel in the Hills is located at the foot of Black Hills, surrounded by South Dakota beauty.
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook
This chapel is an exact replica of a beautiful church in Norway called Borgund Stavkirke.
Holly Hayes/Flickr The Borgund Stavkirke is a historic and very well-preserved “stavkirkes ,which means “starve church.” The South Dakota replica was built in 1969, largely thanks to The Norwegian Department of Antiquities who provided the Mount Rushmore state architect, Dr. Harry R. Gregerson, with blueprints of the original church.
The traditional Norwegian style of construction is said to be the key reason these chapels last so long.
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook The construction uses wooden dowel pins, which allows wood to expand and contract as the temperature changes, and allows the wood to uphold throughout time.
Many visitors come from all over to see this replica, up to over 25,000 a year. When they arrive, they’ll find the “Stabbur.”
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook The Stabbur is a grass-fed house, and it acts as the visitor center for the chapel, as well as a small museum. This Norwegian store house was built in Norway and then assembled here. It’s also the gift shop in which you can purchase many Scandinavian items.
This spot is truly a work of art, and taking a meditation walk through the grounds lets you experience it all in a calm state of mind.
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook
Worship services are offered every evening, and all are welcome to attend. No need to dress up.
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook
See the intricate wood carvings firsthand, May 1st through September 30th. Organized tours are also offered.
Holly Hayes/Flickr
No matter where you come from, seeing this true work of art will have you feeling like you’re in a foreign country full of beauty.
Holly Hayes/Flickr Chapel in the Hills is located at 3788 Chapel Ln., Rapid City, SD.
For more information, visit the church’s website right here.
Have you ever visited this true work of art? How was your experience? Let’s hear about it in the comments.
Chapel in the Hills/Facebook
Holly Hayes/Flickr
The Borgund Stavkirke is a historic and very well-preserved “stavkirkes ,which means “starve church.” The South Dakota replica was built in 1969, largely thanks to The Norwegian Department of Antiquities who provided the Mount Rushmore state architect, Dr. Harry R. Gregerson, with blueprints of the original church.
The construction uses wooden dowel pins, which allows wood to expand and contract as the temperature changes, and allows the wood to uphold throughout time.
The Stabbur is a grass-fed house, and it acts as the visitor center for the chapel, as well as a small museum. This Norwegian store house was built in Norway and then assembled here. It’s also the gift shop in which you can purchase many Scandinavian items.
Chapel in the Hills is located at 3788 Chapel Ln., Rapid City, SD.
For more information, visit the church’s website right here.
Looking for more peace and serenity? This easy hike will take you to the top of the world and have you feeling free.
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