Posted in Iowa January 10, 2021 by

Morning Star Chapel Is One Of The Smallest Churches In The Country And You Can Find It In Iowa

The Hawkeye State is home to dozens of quaint, historic towns and cities where you could spend all day exploring the landmarks! One of the most underrated sites in the state, the Danish Windmill Complex, is a spot worth visiting if you want to see the smallest chapel in America.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Elk Horn is one of Iowa's most unique communities, and visiting is like taking a trip to Denmark! Many of the town's landmarks can be found at the Danish Windmill complex.
Flickr / Jpellgen
One of the most eye-catching buildings on the grounds is the Morning Star Chapel. It's said to be the smallest chapel in America!
Flickr / Jpellgen
The chapel was built by a Danish immigrant, Charles Johann Walensky. He moved from Copenhagen to Waterloo in 1888, and his skills as a carpenter made him a popular builder of area churches and chapels. He built this tiny church in his own backyard and piped in his own music, including a composition called "Chapel By The Wayside".
This little house of worship is just six feet wide by eight feet long, and Charles built it when he was 83 years old as a testament to his own faith.
Flickr / Rich
Charles Walensky hosted many small events in his chapel, and when he died in 1959, his family continued the tradition. The family donated the building in 1995, and it became part of the Danish Windmill complex in 2013.
No visit to Elk Horn, Iowa is complete without a stop to see the smallest chapel in the world!
Flickr / Jpellgen
Be sure to make time to explore the whole windmill complex, and stop by the Museum of Danish America, too!

Learn more about the Danish Windmill complex, Museum, and Morning Star Chapel by visiting the Danish Windmill website, right here.

If you want to learn more about Elk Horn, read Iowa’s Charming Town Of Elk Horn Is Home To A Little Slice Of Denmark Right Here In America.

Address: Elk Horn, IA 51531, USA