A few miles outside of Festina, Iowa, along a dusty gravel road sits what has been billed as the Smallest Church in the World," one of the 100 Places in Iowa to Visit. I've read that the interior measures twelve by sixteen feet and that that steeple is forty feet tall. Having stepped inside for a bit, I can vouch that the four pews are regular size but only seat one or two people making room for about eight people to worship. The alter area is attractive and well kept. You can see one of the four stained glass windows in the image. There is a Winneshiek County Historical Society sign out front that reads
On this site in 1849 the first Catholic Mission north of Dubuque was built of logs. In 1885 nearby landowners quarried stone and built the little chapel. Construction resulted from a vow by Johann Gaertner's mother to build a chapel should her sone, who was drafted into the French army and served under Napoleon, return safely from the Russian campaign. Relatives of Frank Huber maitain the chapel and grounds, which includes the grave of Johann Gaertner.
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A few miles outside of Festina, Iowa, along a dusty gravel road sits what has been billed as the Smallest Church in the World," one of the 100 Places in Iowa to Visit. I've read that the interior measures twelve by sixteen feet and that that steeple is forty feet tall. Having stepped inside for a bit, I can vouch that the four pews are regular size but only seat one or two people making room for about eight people to worship. The alter area is attractive and well kept. You can see one of the four stained glass windows in the image. There is a Winneshiek County Historical Society sign out front that reads
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