World's Smallest Church: world record in Fort Atkinson, Iowa
Fort Atkinson, Iowa, United States--Located southwest of Festina, in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, is St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, which was built by the mother of Johann Gaertner who vowed to build a chapel on the site if her son returned safely from the war; measuring 12 ft (3.7 m) by 16 ft (4.9 m), it is able to seat eight people, and sets the world record for being the World's Smallest Church, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"Festina (also called Twin Springs) is an unincorporated community in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. It is located on Iowa Highway 150, 5 mi (8.0 km) south of Calmar.
"Located southwest of Festina is St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, described at the "world’s smallest church". Measuring 12 ft (3.7 m) by 16 ft (4.9 m), it is able to seat eight people. A public park adjoins the chapel and offers a picnic area, as well as canoe access and fishing in the Turkey River.
"The church was constructed to fulfill a vow made by Johann Gaertner's mother, who promised God she would build Him a chapel if her soldier son survived Napoleon's Russian campaign. The boy returned home unharmed, and the chapel was built of locally quarried stone in 1885." (Wikipedia)
"Very old, tiny church with a rich history. Cemetery has been well maintained. There is a tree that has grown up around a wooden grave marker. Original home of the builders was restored and moved to the church location. It houses the large cabinet that was the town's post office," the
Roadside America says.
"The church and grounds are still in good shape. The grounds also include a cabin that was built in 1848, deconstructed in 1993, and reconstructed in 1996. The original cabin was part of the Indian Agency and used by an agent of the organization. The cabin was used for Mass and therefore connects to the church. Inside the cabin there is also a large cabinet that was used as the first post office in the area.
"The world's smallest church is no longer in active service, but is maintained by a local family and open year-round. It's about two miles West of Festina, a small burg south of Decorah. The church seats about 8 people (more if friendly). Well kept grounds; interesting gravestones."
"World's smallest church built in 1885 is only 14 feet by 20 feet and seats just eight people. St. Anthony of Padua Chapel , located SW of Festina," the Road Trippers says.
"The tiny, privately owned chapel is open to the public at no cost during daylight hours. West of the chapel is original 1849 cabin, originally part of the Indian Agency."
"Recently while roadtripping through northeast Iowa, I took a detour to visit the St. Anthony of Pauda Chapel, which claims to be the world’s smallest church," the Olio In Iowa says.
"Constructed in 1849 as the first Catholic mission north of Dubuque, the chapel was built by the mother of Johann Gaertner who vowed to build a chapel on the site if her son returned safely from the war. The tiny building seats eight people with four rows of pews on each side of the chapel. Fun fact: There’s a to-scale replica clock of the tiny church at the Bily Clock Museum just north in Spillville, Iowa.
"While it’s no longer in service, the small church is a cute place to stretch your legs or enjoy a picnic if you’re passing through. And while other churches may actual be smaller—Oneida, New York boasts a cute chapel that seats two—this Iowa attraction is a sweet stop regardless of official record status."
"The World's Smallest Church was built in 1885 and constructed of stones quarried at Snake Hollow. Joseph Spielman donated $20 toward a bell and Johann Gaertner, then 92 years of age, donated $75 to pay for the wood used in building the chapel. Frank Joseph Huber and his wife, Mary Ann, paid the balance," the
Visit Iowa says.
"The chapel dedication took place in 1886. The chapel proper is 14′ by 20′, the belfry is 40 feet high, and it seats 8 people. The F. J. Huber family maintained it until the summer of 1924, when St. Anthony's Chapel Association, composed of 65 grandchildren of Marie Anna Huber, was formed for the purpose of maintaining it."
"Iowa has many beautiful churches and chapels, with incredible architecture, statues, stained glass and artwork. One of the most special chapels in Iowa is the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel in Festina, Iowa. It’s known as the world’s smallest chapel, measuring a mere 12 by 16 feet in size, with an ability to seat only eight people," the Only In Your State says..
"The church sits on a property aptly named “Smallest Church Park,” in the tiny unincorporated town of Festina, Iowa. The idea for construction of the church began with a mother’s vow to keep her son, Johann, alive
"Johann Gaertner's mother promised God she would build Him a chapel if her soldier son survived Napoleon's Russian campaign. Her son in fact returned home unharmed, and she made good on her promise. The chapel was built of locally quarried stone in 1885."
"Located a few miles west of Festina, IA off of Hwy 150, the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel or the “World’s Smallest Church” seats 8 people, has a 12 x 16 foot interior, normal sized doorway and pews, and 30-ft. +steeple," the City of Fort Atkinson says.
"Built in 1886 to honor a mother’s vow to build a chapel if her son returned safely from the Napoleonic War. Privately owned: open during daylight hours. Free. Watch for signs off IA 150 and IA 24."
"When researching for this project, it became clear that many states claim to have the “world’s smallest” church. Iowa is no different. Our tiny church, St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, is located in Festina, Iowa," the Iowa PBS says.
"It is 12 feet by 16 feet and seats eight people. According to the sign found outside of the Church, the mother of Johann Gaertner promised God that she would build Him a chapel if her son returned safely from war. Her son returned unharmed, and she upheld her end of the bargain. She built the church in 1885 out of locally quarried stone."
Testimonials from TripAdvisor
"Although this site was a bit out of the way, it was worth the trip. An adorable site built on love and faith. Family cemetery adjacent and on the same property, along with a log cabin from the time."
"Cool place outside of Festina (HWY 150). The church is locked during most of the week, but it is absolutely adorable. Very small, of course."
" This along with the Bily Clock Museum will not take a lot of your time but are well worth the experience. The story of the chapel is as amazing as the stacks of registers showing the names of people from around the world who have visited here. Looking these over is worth the time too."
"While this is a bit difficult to find, it is worth a short visit. This is a chapel in the Catholic style repleat with stained glass windows and altar. The seating capacity is 8 thus leading to the billing of being the smallest church in the world. This is a family owned chapel, cemetary, and founding family log cabin. This is a nice location for contemplation and relaxation."
Worlds Smallest Church: Fort Atkinson, Iowa
St. Anthony of Padua
Address: Little Church Rd, Festina, IA
Directions: St. Anthony of Padua. Hwy 150 to Festina. West on 123rd St. for about a mile, watch for sign, then south on Little Church Rd., cross the river.
Facebook: World's Smallest Church near Festina Iowa
Hours: Service held Sunday closest to June 13, Feast of St. Anthony of Padua Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission: Donations accepted.
Photos: Worlds Smallest Church: world record in Fort Atkinson, Iowa
(1) Wikipedia/Hakkun
(2) Travel Iowa
(3) Iowa Road trip
(10) World's Smallest Church near Festina Iowa
Fort Atkinson, Iowa,United States--Located southwest of Festina, in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, is St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, which was built by the mother of Johann Gaertner who vowed to build a chapel on the site if her son returned safely from the war; measuring 12 ft (3.7 m) by 16 ft (4.9 m), it is able to seat eight peoplE, it sets the world record for being the Worlds Smallest Church, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
