Georgia is home to some of the coolest (and most unknown) landmarks in the country, including the ‘Smallest Church in America.’ This tiny church only holds 12 people when it’s completely full, and it’s right here in Georgia. Keep scrolling for all the details.
Where is the smallest church in America?
The ‘Smallest Church in America’ is located in Townsend, Georgia, near the coast. This 5 and a half hour drive is definitely a trek from the ATL, but worth the drive!
You can find it at this address: Coastal Hwy 17, Townsend, GA
And the cost? It’s free to visit!
Bad news. It’s not ~technically~ the smallest church in America.
The ‘Smallest Church in America’ might be this little chapel’s name… but it’s actually not fully true.
According to When in Your State,
It’s not actually the smallest church in the US. Despite what the name claims, this isn’t technically America’s smallest house of worship. The 190-square-foot chapel is pretty tiny, but Cross Island Chapel in Oneida, New York beats it at just 28.68 square feet.
So… what is the ‘smallest church in America’ in Townsend, Georgia? And why was it built?
Built in 1949, Agnes Harper created this roadside attraction and dubbed it the ‘Smallest Church in America.’ Ripley’s Believe It or Not even featured the church in the 50s, championing its title as the smallest church (even though, again, it’s not technically true).
Now around 100,000 travelers stop by every year to check out the ‘Smallest Church in America.’
When can I go?
Literally any time. The ‘smallest church in America’ is open 24/7/365, and there aren’t even any keys to lock it up. It does have security cameras, after arsonists burned the building completely to the ground in 2015, causing the entire structure to have to be rebuilt. But other than that it’s always open to the public.
You can also get married at the mini chapel, with just a suggested donation of $150. They typically see about 35 weddings each year.
So don’t sleep on this tiny church, Atlanta! Enjoy a trip to the coast and check out the ‘smallest church in America’!