The forests of West Virginia are quite a joy to drive through. Small towns pop up between clearings made by farmland. Rinse/repeat for miles upon miles. Not much changes but the sun peaking through the trees, and the smell of fresh pine in my nostrils brings a sense of joy. There honestly isn’t too much to to other than enjoy the ride, but if you are looking for a place to take a break and pray, or just stretch your legs, this little church is an obscure, yet worthwhile stop.
This quaint little house of worship claims to have hold the title of smallest church in the USA, but I think I visited one in New York that has it beat. Nevertheless, Our Lady of the Pines Church sits hidden in the small town of Silver Lake and “is a 12 feet (3.7 m) × 24 feet (7.3 m) purpose built family church with an altar and 12 one-seat pews across an aisle.” Interestingly, the sign in front states it is the smallest church in 48 states, giving some wiggle room to its claim. The grounds are meticulously maintained, and the church operates as more of a roadside place of worship, for travelers to stop and say their prayers, as no actual mass ever takes place.
Closest Supercharger: 58 mi Morgantown WV
21 Asturias Ln #1324, Morgantown, WV 26508
Our Lady of the Pines
101 Breedlove Rd, Eglon, WV 26716
