Resting on a slight rise at the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park, the rustic Chapel of the Transfiguration lies among a stunning backdrop of Teton granite. Rising more than 7000 feet above the valley floor, the jagged mountaintops fill a large window behind the chapel altar. In this summertime view, patches of snow and glacial ice still cover the stately peaks of the Teton Mountain Range.
   Here in Jackson Hole summer months mark the peak of the tourist season. The most popular season by far, the town entertains 50,000 visitors every day. In contrast, winters are long and cold, with snow covering the landscape from November through April. The Transfiguration Chapel may be accessible all year, but is only open to the public for services from May to September. The small Episcopal Church also offers a grand setting for weddings. Here, couples may exchange their vows among some of the grandest scenery on Earth.
   Built in 1925, the church building was designed by C.B. Loomis. This western craftsmen style structure features a tee-shaped footprint, and its exposed log interior is brighten with stained glass windows. Built by local ranchers, the chapel served visitors and local families up and down the valley for nearly a century. A recent window restoration project, including exterior framing and sill repair, has returned the chapel's stained glass to near original condition.
   Just as John Muir questioned the need for a church in Yosemite Valley, you may also wonder about the relevance of this tiny chapel within the gaze of the majestic peaks of this Grand Teton cathedral. But with its unobtrusive rustic architecture, the chapel is a fitting addition to the valley.

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