Soldiers Chapel, Memorial chapel in Big Sky, Montana
Soldiers Chapel is a stone and wood chapel in Big Sky situated at 6,017 feet elevation, distinguished by a circular stained glass window and peeled log scissor trusses inside. The architecture combines sturdy materials with fine craftsmanship, creating a warm and welcoming interior space.
Nelson Story III commissioned the chapel in 1955 as a memorial to his son and soldiers of the 163rd Infantry Regiment who died in World War II. This founding merges personal loss with broader remembrance of wartime casualties.
The stained glass window shows God's hand reaching toward a fallen soldier, designed by Sergeant Jack C. Gunter of the 163rd Infantry Regiment. This artwork makes the connection between faith and remembrance of the fallen visible to all who enter.
The chapel holds daily services from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with Sunday services at 11 AM, and frequently hosts weddings. Visitors should note that access can vary by season and weather since the location sits in a mountainous area.
The baptismal font contains an antique gold pan that belonged to a Story family ancestor, preserving a link to Montana's mining heritage. This detail connects the chapel's religious function with the region's local past.
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