Kentucky is filled with little-known places that often are meaningful to those nearby and come with an interesting history. In Eastern Kentucky, in the heart of Appalachia, Pine Mountain Settlement School is a beautiful property that has been a large part of the community for more than 100 years, but is somewhat unknown to the entire state of Kentucky. And within this school sits an incredible little chapel that is an absolute work of art. Head to Bledsoe, Kentucky with us and visit a charming church, hiding in the mountains of the Bluegrass State.
Pine Mountain Settlement School is a National Historic Landmark, founded as a school in 1913.
Pine Mountain Settlement School/Facebook
Pine Mountain Settlement School/Facebook It’s situated on hundreds of acres, in the shadows of Pine Mountain, tucked away enough that you have to know it’s there to find it. But once you do, you’ll discover a cultural center that celebrates the Appalachian traditions and aims to teach all ages of the community about environmental education and traditional arts and culture.
Hidden in the trees on the school’s property is a small chapel that appears as if out of a fairy tale.
Pine Mountain Settlement School/Facebook
Malcolm J. Wilson Built by the hands of the passionate community, the stone exterior blends in perfectly with the natural beauty of the mountain and forest.
The interior is also a work of art and awe-inspiring to see.
Malcolm J. Wilson
Malcolm J. Wilson The school hosts a number of events throughout the year at the chapel, such as plays and services. Weddings are also held in the space that has 22 pews, will seat 200 people, and boasts an incredible pipe organ.
While it’s not a grand cathedral, the chapel holds its own special charm and enchantment.
Facebook/Pine Mountain Settlement School Pine Mountain Settlement School went from a main source of education for the community, to a boarding school, and now a center for cultural education in the area. The chapel is just one piece of this historic property that may be little-known, but is much loved.
This chapel is idyllic and beautiful and the surrounding school property is equally as intriguing. Have you heard of Pine Mountain Settlement School? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Pine Mountain Settlement School/Facebook
It’s situated on hundreds of acres, in the shadows of Pine Mountain, tucked away enough that you have to know it’s there to find it. But once you do, you’ll discover a cultural center that celebrates the Appalachian traditions and aims to teach all ages of the community about environmental education and traditional arts and culture.
Malcolm J. Wilson
Built by the hands of the passionate community, the stone exterior blends in perfectly with the natural beauty of the mountain and forest.
The school hosts a number of events throughout the year at the chapel, such as plays and services. Weddings are also held in the space that has 22 pews, will seat 200 people, and boasts an incredible pipe organ.
Facebook/Pine Mountain Settlement School
Pine Mountain Settlement School went from a main source of education for the community, to a boarding school, and now a center for cultural education in the area. The chapel is just one piece of this historic property that may be little-known, but is much loved.
For more information on this historic school and everything going on there today, visit their website here. And for more on this vibrant area of Kentucky, visit the Humans of Central Appalachia website here, led by Malcolm J. Wilson, who provided some of the photos shown above.
And for more beautiful churches throughout Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
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