The Chapel of the Transfiguration at Grand Teton National Park

I am a pastor who is retired from full time ministry, but I still have a deep interest in church buildings, their design, and their settings. The design of a church building says a lot about the beliefs of a congregation. The setting in which the church building is found says something important about the mission of a congregation.

For me, the Chapel of the Transfiguration in the Grand Teton National Park speaks simply and clearly about the glory and power of Almighty God. My wife and I have seen the chapel several times over the years as we have visited Grand Teton National Park on family vacations.

The Chapel of the Transfiguration was built in 1925. It is part of the Episcopal Church and is operated by St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson, Wyoming. According to a Fodor's website, regular services are held on Sundays at the chapel from late May through late September, with the Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. and worship at 10:00.

An information page for Grand Teton National Park gives a helpful history of the chapel. The land for the chapel was donated by Maud Noble. Noble has a place in the early history of the area. In 1894, William D. Menor built a ferry boat to carry people across the Snake River at Moose, Wyoming. In 1918, Menor sold his property and ferry business to Noble. Hoping to cash in on the increasing numbers of tourists coming to the area, Noble doubled the rates that Menor had been charging.

Noble's dreams began to fall apart in 1927 when a metal bridge was built across the Snake River. In 1929, Noble sold her property. Before that, however, she had donated land for the construction of the Chapel of the Transfiguration.

The chapel itself is built of logs and, being only 22 feet by 50 feet, does not contain a large amount of seating. Two beautiful stained glass windows are located in the entryway of the building. The most striking feature of the chapel is at the front of the sanctuary behind the altar. A clear glass window gives worshipers a glorious view of the Teton Mountains. If there is any question about the unspoken message of the chapel and its location, the view of the mountains "speaks" of a majestic Lord who has given us a majestic world in which to live. As you might expect, such a setting is a popular place for couples to hold their weddings.

Grand Teton National Park itself is a beautiful place to retreat from the busyness and clutter of modern life. The Chapel of the Transfiguration gives the harried person a place to sit and meditate on the basics of human existence in the world. If you're ever in Grand Teton National Park, set aside some time for the chapel.

Sources:

www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/wyoming/grand-teton-national-park/review-112369.html
www.grand.teton.national-park.com/info.htm