Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies explored the Chapel in the Hills
3788 Chapel Lane
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
May 19, 2016

Chapel in the Hills is a stave church located near Rapid City, South Dakota, and was dedicated on July 6, 1969 as the home for the radio ministry of Lutheran Vespers. It served as his home until 1975 when the radio program was moved to Minneapolis, home of the American Lutheran Church at the time. At that time a non-profit corporation took over operation of the Chapel in the Hills and operates it to this day. The church is a special ministry of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

A number of pastors were called to the Chapel, and a resident pastor served the Chapel until 2004. At that time it was decided to hire a manager and use local pastors serving Lutheran churches in the Rapid City area to preside over the evening worship services and weddings. Through all these changes the chapel remains ministering to all those who seek a quiet place of contemplation, meditation, and prayer. Today the Chapel sees 20,000 to 25,000 visitors a year and hosts numerous weddings and vow renewals, along with other special services. It is free to visit, but of course, donations are always welcome and needed. It is usually open 7:30 a.m. until dusk.
entry to Chapel in the Hills sign about the Viking Runestones
Viking Runestone sign Viking Runestone
Viking Runestone sign Viking Runestone
sign about Edward Neilsen of Norway admission and information sign

Below - A two-sided sign - the word Museum in English and in Danish
side 1 of post - word Museum in English side 2 of post - word Museum in Danish

Below: An authentic log cabin museum that was built in 1876 by Edward Nielsen, a Norwegian immigrant gold prospector from Hole, Ringerike, Norway.

carving of Ole carving of Lena
inside the museum inside the museum
dolls inside the museum inside the museum

Hardanger Curtains and a small ship
Hardanger Curtains a small ship
Viola and Violin potty training chair

Below: A stabbur, a grass-roofed house, that serves as the visitor center and gift shop.
A stabbur The Chapel in the Hills
big History billboard

The Prayer Walk trail was closed when the two RV Gypsies were here.
The Prayer Walk trail sign The Prayer Walk trail that was closed
bell bell

The Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the Borgund stave church in Norway. The Borgund stavkirke was built around the year 1150 and is considered the most completely preserved stave church still standing in Norway.

The Norwegian Department of Antiquities provided a set of blueprints of the Borgund church to be used in the construction of the Chapel in the Hills. The woodcarvings resulted from the combined effort by Norwegian woodcarver Erik Fridstreim and Rapid City resident, Helge Christiansen.
Lee Duquette at The Chapel in the Hills The Chapel in the Hills

Below: A small sample of the enclosed walkway and windowless openings that encircle the entire Chapel.
the enclosed walkway the enclosed walkway

Below: Lee Duquette inside the Chapel and a look up at the amazing woodwork in the ceiling.
Lee Duquette inside the Chapel amazing woodwork in the ceiling
the amazing doorway of the Chapel Memory plaque

Menu for the two RV Gypsies in South Dakota
May 15-20, 2016
You may view these adventures in any order your choose.

(There is also a link to Wyoming at the bottom of this page)

bullet S.D. Welcome Center/Rest Area/travel (site 12)

bullet Travel photos in South-Central SD

bullet Mitchell Corn Palace - site 13

bullet Badlands Petrified Gardens - site 14

bullet Wall Drug, the Jackalope and more- site 14

bullet Rapid City, The Berlin Wall, and more- site 15

bullet Bear Country USA

bullet Chapel in the Hills (this page)

bullet Cosmos Mystery Area

bullet Dinosaur Park in Rapid City

bullet Formal Gardens and sundial in Rapid City

bullet Pactola Lake, part of Black Hills National Forest

bullet Presidential Statues in Rapid City

bullet Marlins Restaurant

CAMPGROUNDS THE TWO RV GYPSIES STAYED AT IN SD

bullet Sioux City North KOA in North Sioux City, SD

bullet Hills RV Park in Plankinton, SD

bullet Belvidere East Exit 170 KOA in Midland, SD

bullet Three Flags RV Park in Black Hawk, SD
look below

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies AFTER you have seen all of the above sites in South Dakota, please continue on to the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in Buffalo, Wyoming.