The Infantry Center Chapel celebrates 80 years of use

By Nick DukeMarch 24, 2015

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 25, 2015) -- When Fort Benning celebrates Easter Sunday April 5, it will also mark an historic anniversary for one of the post's most iconic landmarks - The Infantry Center Chapel.

Construction on the chapel began in 1934, and it was used for the first time on Easter Sunday in 1935.

The chapel's architect was Phillip Trammel Schultz, a Georgia native who modeled the exterior of the chapel after the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Georgia. However, the interior of the chapel has a different design that features a domed ceiling much in the style of 18th century Episcopal churches.

"Most people are surprised at the domed ceiling," said Fort Benning Family Life Chaplain Maj. Darren Chester. "With that square exterior, you don't expect to see that domed ceiling. ... It has a big domed ceiling, large chandeliers and innate décor with columns. You don't find chapels like this everywhere."

The chapel is also unique because of its specifically Christian décor.

"Chapels are designed to be neutralized, but another unique feature of this chapel is that it cannot be neutralized," Chester said. "There are painted windows that depict Biblical scenes and some permanent crosses. The only way you could neutralize it is by making some sort of curtain structure to cover these things up. Nowadays, chapels are designed so you can easily remove those items specific to one religion."

The chapel, which can accommodate up to 600 people, was originally constructed as a home for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish congregations, and now is home to a traditional Protestant service, a liturgical formal Protestant service and a Spanish Catholic service each Sunday. It also serves as Fort Benning's primary wedding chapel, sometimes playing host to three weddings per day.

The painted windows in the sanctuary that depict various Biblical scenes were installed in the 1960s, while the windows in the foyer depict a previous emblem of the Army Chaplains School and the Infantry School, both of which were likely installed sometime in the 1980s.

The sanctuary also still features its original chandeliers and columns, which incorporate Corinthian style capitals and square column extensions.

In the balcony, the chapel has a carillon, which is used to ring the chapel bell. The carillon was originally in the Chapel in the Woods at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia. When that chapel burned, the carillon was moved to Fort Benning in 1945. It features 13 shields representing each of the original U.S. colonies.

The chapel also has a plaque with the name of each previous Fort Benning chaplain, two of whom went on to serve as chief of chaplains, a two-star billet.

Chester said the chapel is in good condition, with only minor resurfacing of plaster required in recent years.

Since it opened in 1935, the chapel has been in use continuously.

"It's just been a good place of worship for 80 years now and a whole lot of Army Families have come through there," Chester said.

Much as it did 80 years ago, the chapel will play host to Easter services at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. April 5.

In addition, Fort Benning will hold a sunrise service at 7 a.m. on the Field of Four Chaplains.