<strong>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</strong> - Yongsan chapel-goers are rejoicing as the decades old South Post Chapel completed phase one of a major renovation last month, and now prepares to finish the makeover by the end of this month.
U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Deputy Chaplain (Maj.) Adolph Dubose said the $900,000 project was an "answer to prayers" for this high-traffic facility.
"The building is old and just the wear and tear from it being open seven-days-a-week made this necessary, Dubose said. "The carpets were deteriorating; there were problems with the plumbing and the lighting was really dim."
The U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan chapel program is one of the most active programs in the Army. Chapel attendance is high, and donations to the Chapel Fund continue to help a record number of charities.
The two-phase project allowed the staff to keep classrooms open for seminars and classes. Once contractors worked on primary areas of the building, various areas of the church were used as substitute classroom space.
Chaplains partnered with other organizations on post during the renovation. Protestant and Gospel services relocated to the Seoul American High School auditorium. Chaplains moved Catholic services to Memorial Chapel on Main Post and adjusted the service time from morning to evening.
Now that things are back on track, Dubose said he already sees a steady increase in attendance.
"Pretty much everything has been done, just a few minor things and one classroom that should be complete by Oct. 26," Dubose said. "It's the same place, we just put a little bit of a facelift on it."
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