Chapel in the Hills

Chapel in the Hills is a surprise on the western edge of Rapid City: a wooden stave church in the Norwegian tradition, with a dark, steep, layered-roof silhouette that looks lifted from a Scandinavian valley. It was built in 1969 as the home of the Lutheran Vespers radio ministry, and it is a replica of the Borgund stave church in Laerdal, Norway. The address is 3788 Chapel Lane, at the foot of the Black Hills. The grounds include the Stabbur, a grass-roofed storehouse that was built in Norway and assembled on site, and it serves as the visitor center and gift shop. A log cabin museum holds items brought from Norway or made by Scandinavian immigrants in the 1800s, and the cabin was built by a Norwegian prospector. Behind the chapel, the Meditation Trail winds into the hillside with benches and statuary, and it is a pleasant, quiet walk that takes only a few minutes. There is no set admission fee: the chapel is self-supporting and relies on free-will donations, gift shop purchases and the weddings held there. It is a small stop, but it is memorable and unusual.

The seasonal schedule is the main planning point. The chapel, gift shop and museum are open from morning until dusk, seven days a week, from May 1 through September 30. The grounds open on a limited basis in April and October, and the buildings may open on selected October dates if the weather stays warm. Because those details can change, call or check the chapel's page before you go if you are traveling in spring or fall.

Evening worship services are held in the chapel during the summer months in an informal style, and visitors are welcome to attend, though this is a place of worship first and a tourist stop second, so dress and behave with that in mind.

The visit is short, and about thirty to forty-five minutes is enough for most travelers. Start by looking at the exterior, which is the main show, with its layered roofs and carved details, then step inside if the chapel is open to see the interior and the quiet atmosphere. Visit the Stabbur and the log cabin museum for the Norwegian and immigrant artifacts, and finish with a walk on the Meditation Trail if you have time and want a break from the road.

Because admission is based on donations, leaving a contribution is the polite way to support the upkeep, and the gift shop is another way to help.

Chapel in the Hills is easy to combine with other Rapid City outings because it is close to Canyon Lake Park and the western edge of town, and it sits near the dog-friendly Braeburn area along Rapid Creek. A relaxed half day might include a walk or paddle at Canyon Lake, a stop at the chapel and a late lunch downtown.

It is also a good option for travelers who want something calm after a busy day of theme parks and tours. It is not a stop for everyone, since it is small and devotional, but for anyone interested in architecture, immigrant history or a quiet moment, it is one of the most distinctive free stops in the area.