Chapel in the Hills

06/09/2026

We welcome back this week as our guest pastor Rev. Ramona Hayes. Rev. Hayes has previously served three ELCA parishes in Eastern South Dakota and is now serving an Episcopal congregation in Brookings, SD. This is an example of the ELCA being in "full communion" with several denominations throughout the country, where clergy from one denomination are welcomed to serve in other churches of a different denomination.

Pastor Ramona has been a guest pastor at the Chapel in the pastas and is excited to be back and able to lead evening worship this coming Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be sure to plan on attending worship with us this coming week. You are most welcome!

Here is a bit more from Pastor Ramona. Greetings to you all! My husband Tim and I have been married over 30 years and have two grown children. If you notice a bit of an accent (I don’t hear it, but I’m told I have one), it’s because I grew up in Indiana. Serving the people of South Dakota wasn’t on my radar, but the Spirit moves in weird and wonderful ways. We are grateful to be here in beautiful South Dakota and I’m excited to serve this week as pastor-in-residence for the Chapel in the Hills. I’m looking forward to meeting you all.

06/03/2026

Chapel Worship Services Begin THIS EVENING. 7:30 PM and every Wed., Sat., and Sun. through August.

05/29/2026

Let us introduce our next two visiting pastors:

Pastor Jon Benson is here this week. No stranger to the Chapel, he and his wife have returned for another week. A native of North Dakota and a graduate of Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, MN, Pastor Benson has been in the ordained ministry for 43 years, 22 of which have been at Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, IA. He has served in two other parishes, Lord of Love Lutheran in Omaha, NE (1983-1991), and Immanuel Lutheran in Harlan, IA (1993-2003). In addition to these, Pastor Benson attended two years of graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana (1991-1993), during which time he served two interim pastorates, one in South Bend and the other in Elk Hart. Now retired, he continues to serve on the Board of Directors for both Immanuel Senior Living and the Immanuel Vision Foundation in Omaha, NE, as well as doing pulpit supply for a church in the Council Bluffs area.
Pastor Benson and his wife, Marcia, have been married for 45 years and are the parents of five children and grandparents to seven (count them: 7!!!) granddaughters.

Then starting Monday, June 1st, Pastor Julie Carlson will join us for the first time. Rev. Julie Carlson is an ordained minister with the ELCA. She is currently serving Peace Lutheran and Grue Lutheran in/near Ashby, MN. After a long period of discernment, Julie entered Wartburg Seminary in 2018, receiving her MDiv in 2022 and was ordained in July 2022. During her time at Seminary she served Oscar Lake and Trinity Lutheran Churches as a Synodically Authorized Minister and following her ordination, served Foxhome and Vukku Lutheran Parish. Prior to responding to Christ's call into ordained ministry, Julie held various positions in the travel industry and earned a B.A. in Human Services and a B.S. in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota in addition to her Master of Divinity from Wartburg. Julie and her husband Monty have been married since 2005, and share a love of God’s Creation which translates into their passion for gardening, the outdoors and travel. They are avid fisherfolks who enjoy fishing at home in Minnesota as well as Canada and Alaska. Their love of travel has drawn them to Kenya, the Holy Land, Patagonia, Europe, Hawaii, Belize, Alaska, Canada and several other destinations. This being Pastor Julie's first time serving at the Chapel in the Hills, she looks forward to communing with God, nature and humans during her stay.

Also, next week marks the beginning of our evening worship services! Conducted by our visiting pastors, these 30-minute informal services are held at 7:30 PM each Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. Plan now to attend!

05/20/2026

Our season is off to a good start, and it is great to see our visitors back and the grounds slowly recover from this past winter's wind storm.

Earlier this month, we were honored to have a couple returning guest pastors serve the Chapel and help us with some early-season weddings. Our thanks to Rev. Kent Stillson of Sioux Falls, SD and Rev. David Halaas of Sioux City, IA. We appreciate their dedication to the mission and ministry of the Chapel in the Hills.

This week, we welcome another "regular" returning guest pastor: Rev. Julie Long. Pastor Julie is a retired ELCA pastor, living in Missoula MT with her husband Mark (an avid hunter and Harley rider). Their adult sons, Randy and Adam, are married and also live in Missoula. Pastor Julie is a proud grandmother of four, including a set of active 23-month-old twins and older grandchildren, ages 13 and 11. Family time always includes lots of fun, love and laughter! She attended seminary through the TEEM program at PLTS/Luther, after retiring from a 30-year career in Forensic Science at the Montana State Crime Lab. She served 9 ½ years in rural ministry at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Broadus MT. In her “retirement” she provides pulpit supply, pastoral care and has served as “Bridge Pastor” and Interim pastor in Missoula. Pastor Julie has been active in music ministry as a vocalist, pianist, organist and choir director as well as volunteer and staff positions in music and worship leadership and planning. She currently serves as the Montana Synod Candidacy Coordinator. She treasures her time at the Chapel, shopping at the Chapel gift shop, exploring the Black Hills area, tasting area wines and enjoys meeting and visiting with Chapel volunteers and visitors.

05/14/2026

Please pass this word on to anyone that knew Pastor Hanson:

The Service of Thanksgiving for Rev. Jim Hanson that was scheduled for May 22 has been postponed to Saturday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m. at United Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, Minnesota. Jim's daughter Kris was recently in a bicycle accident and is unable to attend the service as originally scheduled for this coming week. She is recovering well and will be ready to attend the service in September.

04/29/2026

We are OPEN for the season this Friday, May 1! Make plans to visit the Chapel this year. We are sure you will find it a place of peace, quiet, and reverence during your busy day.

This past winter was a rough one for many folks in the Black Hills. A large straight-line wind storm passed through the area during the early morning hours of Dec. 18. Although the Chapel, gift shop, museum, and residence sustained no damage, we lost an estimated eighty trees on the property, including several of our “signature” Ponderosa Pines that helped frame the views of the Chapel. In addition, our storage shed suffered a direct hit from two trees, and the guest residence roof had to be repaired and re-shingled. The cleanup and repairs have been costly and taken all winter and early spring. But we will be open on time. Many other businesses and residences throughout the Black Hills suffered just as much or greater losses, so we do still consider ourselves fortunate.

Our most heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers and the businesses who assisted with the clean-up and repairs. At the risk of potentially leaving someone out, we wish to publicly thank the following for their dedicated efforts in the clean-up and rebuilding:

• Jeff Carda
• Pam Carda
• John Davies
• Troy Eggum
• Barry Elder
• Josh Elder
• Alan Gese
• Wayne Greaves
• Phillip Grumstrup
• Berta Grumstrup
• Brad Hovland
• Rebecca Ninke
• Joel Peterson

A special Thank-You to:

• Best Bet Lawn Care
• Mark Hasvold and Bierschbach Equipment Co.
• Thrivent Financial™
• And all those who turned out to haul away logs and firewood.

Our hearts are full of gratitude….

04/19/2026

A bracelet was found at the Chapel after prom yesterday. Contact us to describe it. 605-342-8281

Send a message to learn more

04/13/2026

If you need help loading the remaining bigger pieces of firewood, flag us down on the grounds or call 605-415-0460. We will have the gate open through Friday, or whenever the wood is all gone.

04/11/2026

We still have some firewood available--FREE for the taking! Easy access in our parking lot. The Chapel gate will be open this weekend. No need to call ahead--just come on out! First come, first served! We would like it all gone before prom season--which is approaching fast! Thanks!

01/18/2026

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, James L. Hanson. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen

It is with great sadness, but with hearts overflowing with gratitude, that we announce the passing of Rev. James L. Hanson. Pastor Hanson died at his home this past week in Zumbrota, MN. Services will be held later this year towards the summer months.

Pastor Hanson served as pastor at the Chapel in the Hills from 1982-2000--the longest tenure of any pastor here. He and his late wife Anita led the way as the Chapel developed into its current mission and ministry. He will be missed greatly by so many people connected with the Chapel and the many congregations he served with his ministry.

Well Done, though Good and Faithful Servant.