The Little Church is one of Drumheller's best-loved small stops, a chapel on the North Dinosaur Trail, Highway 838, that seats just six people at a time. Inside are six one-person pews and a pulpit, and the local joke is that the church holds 10,000 people, but only six at a time. It was built by local contractor Trygve Seland together with the Ministerial Association, and it was rebuilt in 1991 by inmates of the Drumheller Institution. The purpose was always worship and quiet reflection rather than tourism, and visitors are asked to treat it that way. It is free, takes only a few minutes, and stands right beside the road to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, so most visitors pass it on the way.
What to do
Step inside one or two at a time, sit for a moment and enjoy the oddity of it. The chapel is small enough that it feels more like a model than a building, and children usually love going in. Outside, the setting is simple and the photographs are charming, especially with a little snow around the steps.
Practical planning
Travel Drumheller does not publish hours or fees, so treat it as an open-air stop and expect no charge. With a capacity of six, expect to wait your turn in busy periods, and keep your voice down because it is still a place of reflection. The road is the busy route to the museum, so pull in carefully. In the Christmas season, Travel Drumheller says the church looks especially striking, although it does not publish an event schedule, so do not plan around one.
Fitting it in
The church is on Highway 838 between downtown Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, so it is almost a required stop on the way there. It needs ten minutes at most, which makes it a good break from driving. If you are doing the whole Dinosaur Trail loop, add the Orkney Viewpoint and the Bleriot Ferry when the weather and season allow.
What to expect
The experience
A brief, free stop at a chapel that holds six people at a time, with six one-person pews and a pulpit inside.
Best time
Any dry daylight hour on the way to or from the museum, with fewer queues outside peak summer.
How long
Ten to fifteen minutes.
Tips
Go in one or two at a time, keep voices low and pull in carefully because the road is busy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who enjoys a quirky landmark and a moment of quiet on the road to the museum.
- Families
- Children love how small it is, so turn it into a game of counting the pews.
- Couples
- A sweet, quick photo stop, especially with a little snow on the ground.
- Pair with
- The Royal Tyrrell Museum and the Badlands Interpretive Trail are a few minutes further along the same road.
- Time needed
- About ten minutes.
Good questions
How many people fit inside?+
Only six at a time. The local joke is that it holds 10,000 people, but only six at a time.
Where is the Little Church?+
It is on the North Dinosaur Trail, Highway 838, on the road from downtown Drumheller to the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Who built it?+
Local contractor Trygve Seland built it with the Ministerial Association, and inmates of the Drumheller Institution rebuilt it in 1991. It is meant as a place of worship and reflection.
Does it cost anything?+
No fee or opening hours are published by Travel Drumheller, so treat it as a free, open-air stop. Please be respectful when you go in.
How long should I allow?+
Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty, plus a little extra if you have to wait for the six seats to clear.
