America's smallest roadside churches

By Doug Kirby

updated 2:48 p.m. ET July 10, 2006

Tiny churches are adorable symbols of understated Christianity. For the communities that built them, they are perfect for small weddings or quiet contemplation. For frazzled travelers, fending off road rage or interstate ennui, wee houses of worship poke up suddenly from the asphalt firmament like little miracles.

How many tiny churches can one fit on the head of a pin? As a couple of grizzled road trippers, we can't spend too much time on such a dainty pursuit, since its logical terminus lies somewhere in the subatomic.

Theologians can debate that one - we're just trying to snap a photo inside the Lord's houselets without elbowing a stained glass window. On cross-country trips, one of our ongoing missions has been to visit the smallest roadside churches in the United States.

We set some ground rules to qualify inclusion on our tiny church list:

• Open to the public at least occasionally. No private family chapels on gated compounds, no hoarding by secretive religious orders.
• Human beings can fit. Perhaps a pastor and a few congregants - no sub-human doll churches or flea circus altars.
• Religious service conducted - weddings, services held occasionally.
• Any legitimate denomination, or non-denominational. A pipsqueak Church of Elvis or Dog Chapel doesn't qualify.
• Fixed address. No trailer-mounted parade float chapels or inflatable cathedrals.
• Bonus: Postcards or signs touting "smallest" status

When you visit a small church, always show respect. In our experience, they are unlocked, unattended, and empty of visitors. Sit in a pew, sign the guest book, contribute a donation or offering, and don't break anything.

Here's our list of notable tiny US churches, by no means comprehensive, in roughly shrinking order:

ELBE, WASHINGTON: The Evangelische Lutherische Kirche, aka: "The Little White Church," measures 18 ft. x 24 ft. and seats a whopping 46. It was built by German settlers in 1906, and enjoyed a classification by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the "Smallest Church in America" (titles such as this, handed out decades ago, litter the tiny church landscape and cause no small confusion to pilgrims). Because E.L.K. lies on the highway travelers use to reach Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park, the church is promoted as "on the road to Paradise."

Services are held one Sunday a month at 2:30 p.m., March through November, and on Christmas Eve. The church is not open most days, but tourists can climb a convenient observation platform and peer through a window.

Ken Smith / roadsideamerica.com St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, Festina, Iowa. Claims in old postcards and signage to be the "Smallest Church in the World".

FESTINA, IOWA: Dedicated in 1886, St. Anthony of Padua Chapel claims in old postcards and signage to be the "Smallest Church in the World." Though the claim may have had fleeting validity, later breakthroughs in ministry miniaturization leave this Roman Catholic church among the giants. With its 12 ft. x 16 ft. interior, normal sized doorway and pews, 40 ft. steeple, and room for eight people, it is nonetheless a charming spot to seek solace. Before you screech off in search of a smaller church...

(West of Festina - signs on Iowa Rt. 150 and Iowa Rt. 24. Service held Sunday closest to June 13, Feast of St. Anthony of Padua.)

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