According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest chapel in the world is found on the Niagara River in Canada, containing only six people.
This fact remained undisputed until recent findings in Uganda proved that the Guinness Book of World Records needs to be updated.
When I heard this, I packed my bags and hit the road up to Biku Hill in Nebbi district, Northern Uganda, where the smallest chapel in the world is located.
Upon arrival, I was assigned a guide by the name of John, who took me through the history of this marvelous church, informing me that this church was discovered by two United Nations workers who were on a mission while driving up Biku Hill. Solomon, Oleny, and Mubiru, together with their friend Godfrey, came across this beautiful chapel sitting on top of the hill.
He went ahead to narrate that the chapel was built of stones with a height of 8 feet and a width of 2.5 meters, was established in 1996, and was named after retired Ugandan Arch-Bishop Orombi Henry Luke and a Korean, Song.
He told me that the center is aimed at spiritual healing for individuals and church groups to have a personal encounter with God. There are nine prayer points that allow people to praise, pray, and meditate on the word of God.
I started my tour with a hilltop climb to a gigantic cross marked as point one, then moved to point two, which is opposite number one and is a small building with 12 windows on the western and eastern sides, signifying Jesus’ twelve disciples.
At this point, I had a chance to pray for our neighbors’ peace and revival. The scenic views of Namrwodho Falls, a habitat for the rare shoebill stork, are breathtaking.
From there, we moved on to point three, fashioned in the map of Africa with two entrances featuring ten (10) windows symbolizing the ten (10) commandments.
Points 4, 5, and 6 are positioned within a spacious, calm, and well-aerated green garden, with point four constructed like a heart demonstrating Christ’s love with a cross made of 33 stones, signifying the 33 years of Christ Jesus.
John then led me to point four, built in the shape of an arrowhead, and point five, made of 66 magnificent windows demonstrating the 66 books of the Bible, with 39 windows at the back signifying Old Testament books and 27 windows signifying New Testament books.
Point six, which is in an alter shape, is made of beautiful rough stones that will leave you appreciating your trip choice.
Point seven is a globe-like structure found behind a gigantic rock with an open-ended cave at its base, where we had to crawl from one end to another to get a glimpse of Christ’s suffering. If one is faint-hearted, this five-minute crawl through darkness will leave them terrified, although this is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.
The eighth point (8) is where the world’s smallest church is found—the Bethel church, with 12 windows at its entrance demonstrating the twelve (12) stones on Aaron’s breastplate. The church’s ceiling contains seven (7) beams demonstrating each color of the rainbow, signifying God’s promise never to destroy the world with floods again. The eastern window gives views of the cross situated at point two’s highest peak, a view that signifies how Christians always look up to God.
Our last stop was at two head-to-head points along with the main chapel, big enough to accommodate 400 pilgrims; hence, everyone is welcome to pray.
Uganda takes great pride in having such marvelous architecture that is not even known to many.
This is a site that I would recommend every person visit whenever they are able.
