In addition to architecture at capitol buildings and universities, I also enjoy the architecture of places of worship. In Rapid City there is a little chapel called the Chapel in the Hills. The “hills” refer to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The Chapel in the Hills was built in 1969 and it is a replica of the Borgund Stave Church in Vestland County, Norway. The original Borgund Stave Church was built in 1150.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0206.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
It is a tiny little chapel with a LOT of details!
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0208.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Look at the details around the front entrance:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0211.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
On the inside, looking towards the altar:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0212.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Looking back towards the front entrance:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0213.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
The side entrance:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0214.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
A closer look at the details on the door of the side entrance:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0215.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
There is a cloister surrounding the chapel and I enjoyed walking all the way around it:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0217.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
The backside of the Chapel in the Hills:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0220.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0221.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0222.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
There is a small gift shop in front of the chapel:
![](https://i0.wp.com/ourbigadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20220606_IMG_0224.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)