Cross Island Church, World's Smallest!
The Road Calls Us To A Mini Adventure
I’ll be on the road for the next couple days attending to some family time in Central and Western, NY so I thought I’d post a few quickie stories as I’m passing through.
For example, the World’s Smallest Church, built in 1989 in Oneida, NY.
Cross Island Church sits out on a dock in the middle of Mason Pond, surrounded by some cute residential ranch houses and a whole lot of geese. Built apparently by Chandler Mason and his son, the church is non-denominational and open to the public.
By open to the public, of course, you need to call a number and get a row boat, but you get the idea. The “Cross Island” part of Cross Island Church appears to be the large white cross planted nearby in a jetty of rocks.
You know, I’m usually pretty skeptical when it comes to these sort of Atlas Obscura road side tidbits, always the biggest this or the smallest that.
But I did a little research on this one, and guess what? It’s true! Guinness even says it’s true! Technicality - this is a church, not a chapel, there are smaller chapels!
Cross Island Church took the World’s Smallest Church title away from Union Church in Wiscasset, Maine. The Weekly World News even did a story on it back in 1990, though the article got most of the dimensions and information incorrect.
What makes this church the smallest? Well, in this case the dimensions are four feet three inches (1.30 meters) by six feet nine inches (2.06 meters). That’s enough space for a couple to sit and get married while the officiant stands or kneels outside the door on the dock. And right next to the shore are two lovely Adirondack chairs where I planted myself and had a lovely chat in the cool springtime air with the curious geese.
The road provides my friends, just sometimes you can’t blink, or you’ll miss it!
Coming Up: We’ll have more from the road tomorrow - some fresh chili dumplings, a life-saving bathroom break and the march of the concrete soldiers. Until then, we hope you all enjoyed the Introduction to our book, Where There’s Smoke: On the Trail to New Hampshire’s Fire Towers. Please let Little Bean and I know what you thought, and like and share! Chapter One will publish on Wednesday, May 7. Take care, and keep driving!
Love this ! Will check it out
So cute!!!