Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock is a natural stone formation that stands approximately 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall at the intersection of Court Street and East 12th Street in a residential neighborhood. The elevated platform rises distinctly above street level and features an information sign explaining its background.

The formation was used by Methodist missionaries in the 1840s as a preaching location at the Wascopam Mission. It served as a central point where religious messages were delivered to the indigenous peoples of the region.

The rock served as a gathering place where different religious groups met and shared their beliefs with one another. It represents the early encounters between missionaries and local people who gathered at this shared location.

The formation sits in a regular residential neighborhood at a street intersection and is freely accessible to visitors. An informational sign at the location explains its history, making a visit straightforward.

The city built streets around the formation and left it in its original position rather than removing it. This makes it a rare example of how a community preserved a geological feature by working around it during urban development.

Location: The Dalles

GPS coordinates: 45.59560,-121.18900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23