World's Smallest Church

The world’s smallest church can be found resting upon a small wooden platform in the middle of a small lake off Sconondoa Road in the small town of Oneida, near Syracuse. It’s known as the Cross Island Chapel, but don’t let the name fool you––there’s no island at all, the tiny church just sits on a sort of makeshift dock in the middle of the pond. A few feet away a wooded cross is wedged into a pile of rocks that do breach the water’s surface and may qualify as an “island.” According to a sign posted on dry land nearby, the non-denominational Cross Island Chapel was built in 1989 and “Dedicated as a witness to God.” The sign also states that it is open to the public upon request and available for special occasions and meditation. Although regular services are not held in this odd little chapel, which measures about three feet by six feet, ceremonies can be scheduled by appointment. You’d better have a pretty small family though if you’re thinking of booking it for a wedding, as it church only contains two seats and can barely hold the bride, groom and minister, let alone a wedding party.