There Is No Chapel In The World Like This One In West Virginia

West Virginia has many special and beautiful chapels. The state's most unique chapel, however, is Our Lady of Pines, located in Silver Lake.

Our Lady of Pines is a Catholic church located in rural West Virginia. The chapel is "the smallest church in 48 states" (that title was claimed before Alaska and Hawaii became states).

The chapel measures 12 feet x 24 feet. It features an altar and 12 one-seat pews across the aisle so the chapel can seat 12 faithful.

This church is tiny, but it is no less divine. Our Lady of Pines was built in 1958 by Mr. and Mrs. PL Milknit. They built the tiny chapel as a memorial to their departed parents.

All of the church's fixtures, including its tabernacle crosses and candle holders, are handmade. The altar’s linen was hand woven more than 90 years ago in Lithuania by Mr. Milknit’s grandmother.

The chapel has tours through the spring and summer. It closes its doors to tours in the fall.

When you enter the church there is a vestibule on the left with a register where you are invited to sign your name. In 1972 the chapel was visited by more than 37,000 people from 48 states and 17 foreign countries. The number of visitors has increased every year since then.

If you get the chance to visit Our Lady of Pines chapel sign registry and cherish the memories.