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Smallest Church in 48 States.

Tiny Church - Our Lady of the Pines

Field review by the editors.

Horse Shoe Run, West Virginia

"Our Lady Of The Pines" is a small, well-kept Roman Catholic church in rural West Virginia. It has been promoted on old vellum postcards as the "Smallest Church in 48 States." Even today, a sign makes this odd claim to fame (Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states in 1959). A long-neglected update, or some civic pride sleight-of-hand? Perhaps the two missing states are whichever of the 50 contain the reigning 1st and 2nd smallest churches.

The church contains seating for 12, and the exterior measures 24 ft. x 12 ft. That makes it less dainty, if no less divine, than a number of tinier churches.

Tiny church.

A bonus attraction is right behind "Our Lady of the Pines": The "World's Smallest Mailing Office," a post office serving the community of Silver Lake.

Also see: Tiny Churches

Tiny Church - Our Lady of the Pines

Address:
Rt. 219, Horse Shoe Run, WV
Directions:
South of Deep Creek, MD on Rt. 219 at Silver Lake. Entrance on CR 24/8.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Smallest Mailing Office - Post OfficeSmallest Mailing Office - Post Office, Silver Lake, WV - < 1 mi.
Outhouse Mail BoxOuthouse Mail Box, Aurora, WV - 5 mi.
Rocket on a TrailerRocket on a Trailer, Oakland, MD - 4 mi.
In the region:
First Amputation of the Civil War, Philippi, WV - 30 mi.

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