Construction Complete on Fort Bragg's $13.5 Million Chapel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District recently completed construction on a new $13.5 million chapel at Fort Bragg, N.C., which will serve as a permanent facility for religious worship, education, and counseling for Soldiers and families living in the community. It is the first chapel erected at Fort Bragg since the Vietnam War, replacing the existing Division Memorial Chapel on Ardennes at Bastogne Drive.

At 22,600 square-feet, the complex includes a worship and activity center, expansion area, gathering area, lobby, clergy and staff offices, baptistery and sacristy suites, meditation and reconciliation room, kitchen, choir room, nursery, and vestibules. With a seating capacity of 629, the new facility is twice as large as the old chapel, which only seats 300. The facility spans 9 acres located off Ardennes Road next to the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial Museum.

“The opening of the new contemporary 82nd Airborne Division Chapel will mark a new day for the soldiers and their families at Ft. Bragg,” said Corps Project Manager Helane Church. “The intent of the facility is to provide a religious and meditative atmosphere that will support everyone, regardless of age or faith.”

One of the most distinguishing features of the chapel is the seven historical stained glass windows, which were relocated from the 82nd Memorial Chapel and incorporated into the new facility. Each window represents a war in which the 82nd Division fought. A new window was commissioned and incorporated into the chapel to represent the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new facility’s design contains extra window space to allow for future placement of a new stained glass window.

Like all Army construction, the Chapel incorporates environmentally friendly features. This “green” building will meet the criteria for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver, in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council standards. Eco-friendly features include the use of energy efficient building materials, lighting and ventilation systems.