Chapel in the Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapel in the Hills |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Year consecrated | 1969 |
| Location | |
| Location | Rapid City, South Dakota, United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Spitznagel and Partners |
| Architectural style | Stave church |
| General contractor | Dilly Construction Company |
| Groundbreaking | 1968 |
| Completed | 1969 |
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Chapel in the Hills
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| Location | 3788 Chapel Ln. Rapid City, South Dakota |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000487 |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 2012 |
| Website | |
| Chapel in the Hills | |
The Chapel in the Hills is a very special church located near Rapid City, South Dakota, in the United States. It's known for its unique design. This beautiful building is a type of church called a stave church, which has a long history in Norway.
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What is a Stave Church?
A stave church is an old type of wooden church. They were built in Norway during the Middle Ages. These churches get their name from the large wooden posts, or "staves," that form their main structure. They often have detailed carvings and unique roof designs.
History of the Chapel
The Chapel in the Hills was officially opened on July 6, 1969. It was built to be the home for a special radio show called "Lutheran Vespers." This show shared religious messages across the country. Famous hosts like Richard A. Jensen broadcasted from this location in the Black Hills. The church is still a special part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in South Dakota.
A Copy of a Norwegian Original
The Chapel in the Hills is an exact copy of a very old church in Norway. This original church is called the Borgund stave church. The Borgund church was built a long, long time ago, around the year 1150. It is one of the best-preserved stave churches still standing in Norway today.
To make the Chapel in the Hills just right, the Norwegian Department of Antiquities helped. They provided the original blueprints of the Borgund church. This made sure the new chapel looked exactly like the ancient one.
Amazing Woodcarvings
The beautiful woodcarvings you see at the chapel were a team effort. A talented Norwegian woodcarver named Erik Fridstrøm worked with Helge Christiansen. Helge Christiansen was a local resident from Rapid City. Together, they created the detailed carvings that decorate the chapel.
Other Historic Buildings to Explore
The site around the chapel has more interesting things to see. There is an old log cabin that is now a museum. This cabin was built in 1876 by Edward Nielsen. He was a Norwegian immigrant who came to America looking for gold.
You can also visit a "stabbur" here. A stabbur is a traditional Norwegian building with a grass roof. At the Chapel in the Hills, the stabbur serves as the visitor center and gift shop. It's a great place to learn more and find souvenirs.
