Located just west of Sultan, Washington, along U.S. Route 2 sits Wayside Chapel, a small roadside church with just enough room for a preacher and eight worshippers, at least in theory. The tiny church, measuring 8 x 14 feet, just barely fits a pulpit, four two-person pews and two vases of flowers. Blink as you’re driving the highway and you may just miss this unique roadside attraction, located between Monroe and Sultan (and technically part of Monroe). Watch out for the white sign along the road inviting travelers to “Pause…Rest…Worship”.

Exterior of Wayside Chapel, west of Sultan, Washington

U.S. Route 2 Sign

The History of Wayside Chapel

Dedicated on Oct. 12, 1962 Wayside Chapel was intended as a temporary structure meant to welcome visitors to the 1962 World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) in Seattle. The church was initially built on land donated by Hilkeline Beekman, a member of Monroe’s New Hope Fellowship Church, on the site of a former dairy farm. The church was first managed by a partnership between New Hope Fellowship Church and the Christian Reformed Church of Everett, but today all maintenance and improvements to the church result from volunteer work and donations. Weather takes a toll on the tiny structure, as do occasional acts of vandalism, but the church is regularly repaired and maintained.

Pulpit in the tiny church

One of two four-person pews 

The church is non-denominational and open to everyone, year-round, 24 hours a day. “The door is always open; the light is always on.” Important to note is that there are no facilities (restroom or otherwise) at the location. For more reading, see the following:

• Wayside Chapel on Roadside America
• Wayside Chapel on Weird U.S.
• Tiny World’s Fair-era Roadside Chapel Offers Rest For The Weary by Martha Kan

While you’re in the area be sure to also check out the roadside stand Espresso Chalet in the town of Index. The Bigfoot-themed stand serves espresso beverages and snacks and is also a shooting location for the 1987 film Harry and the Hendersons. For more information, see Bigfoot sighted at Espresso Chalet in Index, Washington.

How To Get There:

Follow U.S. Route 2 (U.S. Highway 2; US 2) east of Monroe, 1 mile west of Sultan. See the map from Roadside America, along with a screenshot below.

Map to Wayside Chapel along U.S. Route 2.

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