Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
History of the Chapel in the Hills
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 21, 2026
1. History of the Chapel in the Hills Marker
The Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the famous Borgund Stavkirke in Norway. Completed in 1969, the Chapel is the result of the efforts of many people, chief among them being Rev. Harry Gregerson and Mr. Arndt Dahl. The Chapel was built as the home for Rev. Gregerson's "Lutheran Vespers" radio ministry, through generous financial support from Mr. Dahl. The Chapel was built by Dilly Construction Company of Rapid City.
[Section photos follow]
• Rev. Harry R. Gregerson · Founder, Lutheran Vespers Radio Ministry
• Mr. Arndt Dahl · Chapel Benefactor
• Mr. Robert Dilly · General Contractor for the Chapel Construction
• Helge Christiansen, Rapid City, SD · Carver of Mask-Like Figures on Staves
• Erik Friedstrom, Oslo, Norway · Carver of All Exterior Features & Interior Bracing
• Finished Chapel June 1969 [and] Chapel Dedication July 6, 1969
[Top left photos of the Chapel from groundbreaking to framing]
[Top right photos of the Chapel from shingling through completion]
Stabbur Construction
At the same time the Chapel was being built, a stabbur was constructed on the grounds to serve as the visitor center and gift shop. With its characteristic larger second story and grass roof, a stabbur is a general storehouse found on many Norwegian farms. The Chapel stabbur was modeled after one from the Middle Ages in Rauland, in the Telemark District of Norway. It was constructed in Norway and then reassembled here on site. The original lower porch area was enclosed in the 1990s to allow more room for the gift shop.
[Photos
this page online
Chapel Bell Tower
The freestanding bell tower located behind the Chapel was made possible by Rev. Gregerson's Luther Seminary Class of 1929. Built by Dilly Construction Co., it contains the original bell from American Lutheran Church, Presho, SD. The bell has summoned worshippers to the Chapel and celebrated couples weddings since 1969.
Prayer Walk
The gift to the Chapel of several limestone statues depicting the Life of Christ provided the opportunity to fulfill the dream of constructing a prayer or meditation walk on the Chapel grounds. Dedicated in 2010, this secluded path winds its way up behind the Chapel. The statues and benches located along the pathway, combined with selected Bible passages, provide a place of quiet contemplation for the visitor.
Log Cabin Museum
A major addition to the Chapel grounds was the relocation of a log cabin that now houses a collection of Scandinavian antiques. A Norwegian immigrant, Edward Neilsen, built the cabin in 1877. Rev. Jim Hanson, the Chapel pastor, supervised the cabin's restoration by dedicated volunteers and its transformation into a small museum. An avid collector of Scandinavian artifacts, Rev. Hanson was responsible for acquiring most of the original objects.
[Photos
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 21, 2026
2. History of the Chapel in the Hills Marker
Erected by the Chapel in the Hills.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 6, 1969.
Location. 44° 2.9′ N, 103° 17.875′ W. Marker is in Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker is on the public comfort station on the Chapel grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3788 Chapel Lane, Rapid City SD 57702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River and in the Badlands. It is also in the American Black Hills, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:
Photographed by Unknown, July 6, 1969
3. Chapel Dedication Photo on History of the Chapel in the Hills Marker
Also see . . . About the Chapel in the Hills. (Submitted on October 18, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
