Dollywood is celebrating the anniversary of one of the park’s more unique features – a fully operational chapel that has been housed at the park for 50 years.
What’s Happening:
- Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is marking the 50th anniversary of one of the special places that makes the park so unique – the Robert F. Thomas Chapel in the park’s Craftsman Valley section.
- The chapel still functions as it was intended, as a chapel, and is one of the true highlights of the park that makes Dollywood stand out from other park fare that can be found at regional and destination theme parks worldwide.
- In 1973, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel was constructed. Named for a well-known doctor in the Sevier County area, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel represented the strength and devotion of this Appalachian community to its Christian values. After Dolly Parton joined and helped build Dollywood to what it is today, the chapel's significance to the park grew even stronger. It was Dr. Robert F. Thomas who one day delivered the fourth of twelve children to Lee and Avie Lee Parton — Dolly Rebecca Parton.
- Still open at the park today, guests are able to step inside this one-room country church where the simple wooden pews and hardwood floors echo with the sounds of families and neighbors gathering for Sunday morning worship, something that still happens regularly at the park, on Sundays at 11:30 AM in the regular season, and at 4:00 PM during the award winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festivities. The chapel is open for guest viewing when services are not in progress.
- Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks. Spanning 165 acres and located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood offers more than 50 rides and attractions, including Lightning Rod, Wild Eagle, the country’s first wing coaster, as well as Thunderhead wooden coaster and the 110-ton Dollywood Express steam engine.
- Earlier this year, the park opened Big Bear Mountain—the longest coaster at Dollywood. Big Bear Mountain roller coaster launches park guests from its ride station on an exhilarating search for the elusive “Big Bear,” a mythical bear of epic proportions, which is said to live in the hills near the park’s Wildwood Grove area. At 3,990 linear ft., the ride is 3/4-mile long and becomes the longest roller coaster at the park. Dollywood guests are invited to assist Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, Ned Oakley, in his quest to find Big Bear.
- Dollywood’s entertainment, recognized worldwide, has won more awards than any other theme park for its live shows featuring country, bluegrass, Southern gospel and classic rock. Master craftsmen demonstrate the area’s rich artistry – from hand-blown glass to blacksmithing. Dollywood will also be hosting several of the South’s largest festivals throughout the season, which this year runs from March 11, 2023- Jan. 6, 2024.