Skip to Main Content

Mentone, Alabama: Church With a Rock In It

A church wedged into a huge sandstone boulder, which serves as a backdrop for its pulpit. Built in 1937 by an obscure former Hollywood lead man and candidate for U.S. President.

Visitor Tips and News About Church With a Rock In It

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Church built around a rock.

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel - Boulder Pulpit

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel was built by Col. Milford Howard for his first wife. It was inspired by a church in Glendale, CA which Col. Howard found on his travels. The Chapel is a quiet, inspirational place...but also a working church, with services held every Sunday. Most of the materials used in constructing the chapel are local..the huge wooden beams, the stone walls and of, course, the huge granite boulder that makes up the front of the chapel.

It's a one-room chapel, not a wedding chapel like you'd find in Gatlinburg, by any means...and a beautiful site for a quiet, country wedding. Or at least we, think so! We've chosen this as our wedding site...The pastor is a very kind fellow who will be saying our wedding for us. For the lady who wanted to find this place...

[BJ Lewis, 07/27/2005]

Boulder Chapel.

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel - Boulder Pulpit

Rhonda mentions this chapel that she couldn't quite recall the details about. It is indeed close to Fort Payne and DeSoto Falls. We spent a weekend there, and this chapel is unlocked and accessible to visitors. It was built by Colonel Milford Howard as a memorial to his first wife around a huge boulder. The boulder serves as the pulpit of the church and is also where Howard's ashes are interred. Services are held each Sunday in the chapel and it is also a popular place for weddings.

[Alix Morehouse, 09/05/2001]

Church With a Rock In It

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel

Address:
CR 89, Mentone, AL
Directions:
Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel. Hwy 89/DeSoto Pkwy northeast of Fort Payne through DeSoto State Park, then turn right at the foot of the hill. The chapel is 100 feet on the right.
Hours:
Always open. Service Su 10 AM. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Junk Creatures of Mike Goggans - Lirpa Anad NitsudJunk Creatures of Mike Goggans - Lirpa Anad Nitsud, Fort Payne, AL - 3 mi.
Joe's Truck StopJoe's Truck Stop, Fort Payne, AL - 7 mi.
Dye Ditch GangDye Ditch Gang, Fort Payne, AL - 7 mi.
In the region:
Human Bunny Grave, Rome, GA - 30 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Alabama Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

World's Largest Cat, Pine Island, New York (Apr 22-28, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings