For a remarkable spiritual experience that brings you back to nature, visit The Chapel in the Hills near Rapid City. The chapel sits at the foot of the Black Hills and is surrounded by God’s beauty. Take a look at this charming, pretty little chapel.

The Chapel in the Hills is a replica of the Borgund Stavkirke, which is located in Norway.

Holly Hayes/flickr The Borgund Stavkirke was built in 1150. It’s one of the oldest, best preserved Stavkirkes (or stave churches) in Norway. The Norwegian Department of Antiquities was kind enough to provide Dr. Harry R. Gregerson with blueprints of the original so that he could construct the replica in 1969.

The chapel is built in the traditional Nordic style.

Holly Hayes/flickr Instead of nails or screws, wooden dowel pins were used to construct the Chapel in the Hills. This style of construction allows the wood to expand and contract as the temperature changes. It’s believed that the wooden dowel pins are the main reason that the chapels of Norway still stand after more than 800 years.

The grounds around the chapel are gorgeous.

Holly Hayes/flickr Stroll the grounds to get a closer look at the exterior of the chapel, the “stabbur,” which is a grass-roofed building that serves as the Visitor Center, and the museum. The wood construction of the chapel blends right into its natural surroundings.

The chapel receives as many as 25,000 visitors a year.

Holly Hayes/flickr You can also get married here, or renew your vows. Visit the chapel’s website for more information.

It’s open to visitors from May 1st to September 30th.

Holly Hayes/flickr Some years, the chapel is available for visitors later in the year, depending on the weather. Visit between 8:00 a.m. and dusk. Worship services start at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

The intricate woodcarvings in the Chapel in the Hills are part of a very old Viking tradition.

Holly Hayes/flickr Highly-skilled local craftsmen were contracted to complete all the work on Chapel in the Hills. Take time to notice the detailed woodcarvings - they harken back to Viking traditions and are found in many churches in Norway.

For directions to the chapel, click here for a map. Have you ever visited Chapel in the Hills?

Holly Hayes/flickr

The Borgund Stavkirke was built in 1150. It’s one of the oldest, best preserved Stavkirkes (or stave churches) in Norway. The Norwegian Department of Antiquities was kind enough to provide Dr. Harry R. Gregerson with blueprints of the original so that he could construct the replica in 1969.

Instead of nails or screws, wooden dowel pins were used to construct the Chapel in the Hills. This style of construction allows the wood to expand and contract as the temperature changes. It’s believed that the wooden dowel pins are the main reason that the chapels of Norway still stand after more than 800 years.

Stroll the grounds to get a closer look at the exterior of the chapel, the “stabbur,” which is a grass-roofed building that serves as the Visitor Center, and the museum. The wood construction of the chapel blends right into its natural surroundings.

You can also get married here, or renew your vows. Visit the chapel’s website for more information.

Some years, the chapel is available for visitors later in the year, depending on the weather. Visit between 8:00 a.m. and dusk. Worship services start at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Highly-skilled local craftsmen were contracted to complete all the work on Chapel in the Hills. Take time to notice the detailed woodcarvings - they harken back to Viking traditions and are found in many churches in Norway.

Here are seven more Churches In South Dakota – check them out, too!

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