Editor’s note: A previous version of this story states that the road to the Chapel of the Transfiguration will be closed all weekend. Buckrail has since learned that the road will be closed and the shuttle will be used only on Saturday evening during the sold-out dinner.
JACKSON, Wyo. — The Chapel of the Transfiguration, located in the Menors Ferry Historic District of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), is getting ready to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
According to GTNP, the land for the chapel was donated to the local Episcopal Church by Maud Noble in 1925. The chapel was then constructed and held the first services on July 26, 1925, four years before GTNP was established. The church, which can accommodate around 65 people inside, was built so that settlers and dude ranchers in the area did not have to travel into Jackson for religious services.
Carol Nunn and Marnie Paulus are researching the history of the chapel to create a keepsake brochure for the Centennial Celebration planned to take place from Thursday, July 24, to Sunday, July 27.
“St. John’s Episcopal Church played a major role in the formation and continues to steward the chapel today,” Nunn told Buckrail in an email.
On its website, St. John’s describes the chapel as a place that “provided spiritual refreshment to dude ranchers and tourists that flocked to the chapel to worship and gather as a community.”
The chapel was nominated and approved to join the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Episcopal services continue at the chapel on Sundays in the summer from Memorial Day through September.
“The Chapel of the Transfiguration is open all year to provide a sanctuary for anyone looking for a quiet space in this hurried world,” wrote Nunn. “Winter brings ski and snowshoe tracks into this sacred space. Even the famous Grizzly 399 and quadruplets visited the chapel, recorded by Tom Manglesen [in 2021].”
For those interested in learning more about the historic landmark, the Centennial Celebration will kick off with a free Beers & Banter event on Thursday, July 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by History Jackson Hole. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be available during the community discussion at the Jackson Hole History Museum.
According to Nunn, the road to the chapel will be closed for the weekend. Parking will be available at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, and a shuttle service will bring visitors to the weekend events. The Centennial Supper, a sold-out dinner hosted by St. John’s, will take place on Saturday, July 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. The chapel will host two worship services on Sunday, July 27, at 8 and 10 a.m. Following the second service, a Sunday social event will take place at the chapel from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include music, photos, period actors and old-time treats.
