I can’t put into words how beautiful this church is. It is stunning. The guide provided a great overview of the church and its beginnings. If able, take a walk around the woods to see the statutes. A very moving experience.

What's the opposite of tourist trap? A quiet, free respite? Chapel of the Hills is just that. This meticulously cared for replica of a Norwegian church is set on lovely grounds in a residential area of Rapid City. The original chapel was built in 1104 and the decorative imagery reveals the tension between pagan animal worship and the tug of Christianity. Also includes a museum of settlers household goods, a gift shop, and a prayer walk on the hill side.

Another stop on our South Dakota trip was the Chaple in the Hills. The chapel is a reproduction of one in Norway. It is open from May to September from 8 am to 8 pm. Worship services are at 7:30 pm Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, during the summer. You can schedule your wedding at the chapel by calling 605-342-8281 or 605-343-9426. There are limited hours in April and October. Admission is by donations to the chapel. The area is well-kept and manicured. The drive to the chapel sets the tone for reflection and relaxation. At the top of the hill, there is a paved parking lot available. The wide walking paths and the meditation trail make stopping for a photo or selfie easy. The chapel's exterior is beautifully designed and provides insight into the peace and beauty inside. Around the outside of the chapel is a covered corridor with windows to look inside the chapel and out to the rest of the property. The beauty inside the chapel matches the beauty outside. The grass-roofed house on the way in is used as a storehouse (Stabbur) in Norway. This one was built in Norway and then shipped to the local site for reassembly. It is used for the visitor center and gift shop. The log cabin is a replica of a Norwegian cabin. It is used as a museum. I wished I had taken more photos, but I was mesmerized by the experience. The chapel is not only a marvelous example of foreign architecture, but it is also a holy place and a great place to relax and meditate. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated after leaving there. I also learned how people lived at the time. After I visited the cabin, I was reminded how lucky I am to live today instead of then. I hope everyone who visits the chapel walks away with the same peaceful feeling it gave me. The chapel has a web page and a Facebook page for more information.

Beautiful chapel and prayer walk area. Spiritual, inspiring, contemplative, serene. Enlivened all the senses - beautiful to see, quite sound of birds on the prayer walk. Great history. Could feel the presence of God. Evening services offered Memorial Day through Labor Day 3 days per week.

We had a few minutes so we thought we would head this direction just to say that we saw it. We were both very happy that we did. It was very quiet, very peaceful. Great architecture, I'd like to go to a service there sometime. We took the prayer walk out back, and again it was a nice break from the go go of the rest of the vacation.

The Chapel was in a beautiful setting and very serene. The attendants were very informative and delightful. The Norwegian log home reconstructed was also nice to see. We went on their prayer walk...a short path behind the Chapel. Without GPS it was a little hard to find as it's up a road in a residential area.

Having sometime to kill, we set out to find the Chapel in the Hill. It sits inside a residential area. This wooden replica of a Scandinavian chuch is beautiful. The staff were exceedingly helpful and friendly. The Chspel itself would be lovely f or a small wedding. Both the gift shop and a log cabin rebuilt on the sight are also worth seeing. There's a prayer walk behind the Chapel if you are inclined to spend some time in prayer. We were delighted we took the time. There also wild turkey's strutting on the grounds in front of the Chapel