This little church is located on top of Look Out Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama. A man named Milford Howard had it built as a memorial to his first wife Sallie. As you look at the following pictures you will see why it is considered one of the most unusual churches in the world.
The door really was unlocked and there was even money in a collection plate. They still have a service there every Sunday and the church is often used for weddings.
The words "God has always been as good to me as I would let him be." were written above the altar. Those words were written by Sallie in the last letter she wrote to her husband before she died. 
The Chapel was dedicated on June 23,1937.
In December of the same year Milford Howard died and his body was cremated. His second wife, Lady Vivian planned a memorial service.
The service was held in the fall of 1938. Howard's remains were placed inside the huge boulder inside the church and a bronze plaque placed over it. The inscription reads Milford W. Howard , born December 18 , 1867 . Died December 28 , 1937. I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever".
29 comments:
Now this is one place I have missed while in that area in 06..Need to go there when i get back up there...Really nice shots Dot.
What an interesting place. I like the red front door and the large structure in the back looks like a tree. I guess they never had a problem with leaving the door always unlocked?
Beautiful church.
A touching story behind it...
Great photos and a very good story.
The photography is excellent, Dot. The story is too. And I was almost "stunned" to read the man's name, "Milton Howard."
Patty and I owned a little house when I was still in the Army and lived in Baltimore, Maryland. We rented the little house to Milton Howard and his wife.
nice
Lived and died for his Church...a great memorial.
What a great little church.
Wow!! What a great little church with such a rich history behind it!
What a wonderful legacy - and gift to the world. It gives me an idea . . .
Thanks for telling me the dreaded red x was showing instead of the photo. For some reason my photo showed when one uses the Mozilla Firefox browser (which I usually do) but not via Internet Explorer. So I reloaded it to Internet Explorer; I think it's now visible via both search engines.
What a beautiful little church. I just love it. And what great words above the alter. So true.
Small churches are so wonderfully appropriate in a small community.
We have St. Michael's here in the village. I tend to go as Christmas approaches.
Now that was a great post and photos brill, loved the story.
If you like anticipation then
pop over to see the buildup of the spectacular
praise be to God \o/
This little church looks so familiar. I wonder if it has been in a movie or something. Great photos and story behind them.
Beautiful church.... and wonderful post! Thanks for giving us the history!
That is a good post Dot. I love the pictures too. When did you take these pictures and learn this history? Did you slip off on a trip while I was away?
That is such an interesting story! Plus, the only 'Lookout Mountain' I ever knew of we in Tennessee! Guess I don't get out much. Ha!
Dot, I am so glad that you've shared this story and these photos with us. We humans can do some of the most amazing and unique things when we put our minds to it--with the Lord's help and guidance, of course.
Oh Dot, what a very fascinating little chapel and story behind it! To think in this day and age that they can still leave the door unlocked and even have money right there in the open, is amazing. It's places like this that I so love hearing about!! xox
That is unusual. What a love story. The architecture is very interesting. Is it supported by any denomination?
Fantastic post.. I think this place is beautiful and I would just have to stop by there again and again.
A church built on a rock. Now that's fascinating! I saw one in Helsinki a couple of years ago. Thanks Dot.
What a pretty and very unique church.Thank you for the history behind the church.We have visited Rock City in Lookout Mountain but didn't know about the church.
Hi I just came across your blog as I was looking at the comments on Nevada & Lilli's travel page. Great photos,I love the church, and the cloud with the sun behind it is spectacular. Again great stuff I like the everyday things and like to see different parts of the country. Hope you will visit my blog at http://roamingwithranger.blogspot.com
Hope you have a wonderful day. LC & Ranger
I thought I was keeping up with you but i must of missed this one,What a great history of the church, i like old churches and the history they have. Nice history lesson. Glad i scrolled down
Dot, what a tribute to his wife...we go to Ft. Payne but I didn't know about this church. When we are back that way, I want to look it up....Betty
Your photos are beautiful! And, what a fascinating story about this chapel! From one of the inside shots, it looks like they integrated the boulder right into the structure.
Thanks for sharing this! I've been to most of the Western, Midwestern, and Northern states. I still need to visit your neck of the woods. Until I do, I'll just have to stop by here for visits!
KJ
California
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
such an interesting post, and a stunning old building, I love the way it wraps around the rock.
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