This Is What 16,000 Expertly Hand Cut Shingles Looks Like

Jul 12

Jul 12 This Is What 16,000 Expertly Hand Cut Shingles Looks Like

Chapel In The Hills | Rapid City, South Dakota | 2015 | © Christy Hydeck(click photo to see larger, it will open in a new window.) — Chapel In The Hills | Rapid City, South Dakota | 2015 | © Christy Hydeck
*(click photo to see larger, it will open in a new window.)*

Tucked away in Rapid city, South Dakota is a charming, tranquil space called The Chapel in The Hills. A replica of Borgund Stavkirke in Laerdal, Norway this chapel is maintained on donations, so there is no entrance fee to enjoy this remarkable place.

Around 16,000 hand cut shingles are expertly crafted on the impressive tiered roof and the hand carved entrance is said to depict the centuries old struggle of good and evil through the snake and dragon carvings. If memory serves, these were all carved by expert craftsmen in Norway and then shipped here.

The chapel is itself is breathtaking - and you will marvel in it’s beauty. But don’t overlook the authentic stabbur ( a grass-roofed norwegian storehouse) - it was built in Norway, shipped to the United States then assembled on site. (I totally want one in the backyard I will one day have!)

The Chapel sits on 30 some mostly wooded acres. In addition to the Stabbur and chapel - there is also a quaint log cabin, a bell tower and a beautiful meditation trail. It’s a place I would visit frequently if I lived nearby - the solace was welcomed after a long day of travel.

More information on The Chapel in The Hills can be found at their site.

You can see the rest of my photos from The Chapel in The Hills Here (and also buy temporarily inexpensive prints if you like!)

Always,
Chrysti

Please note, my 2015 trip to South Dakota was a sponsored one by The South Dakota Tourism board. However, I wasn’t obligated to speak about it a year or so later - I do so out of pure love for the area. It’s incredibly diverse + beautiful and I look forward to the day I go back there!