MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marine chapel 'born-again'
Cpl. David Christian
1st Force Service Support Group
Approximately 100 service members and civilians celebrated the rebirth of a chapel and the end of a 10-month, $1.2-million reconstruction project here.
The Marine Memorial Chapel rededication ceremony was held Sept. 22 for the 57-year-old building.
To add to the beauty of the new building, the Enlisted Wives' Club planted two rose trees on both sides of the chapel's new sign, Sept. 21.
"We're just happy to give back to the community," said Connie J. Catha, president, EWC.
"This rededication ceremony is a reaffirmation of the command to the commitment of the base's religious needs," said Cmdr. Brian L. Simpson, chaplain, Marine Corps Base.
During the ceremony, MajGen. Edward Hanlon Jr., commanding general, MCB, said, "Now that we have rededicated the chapel, might I remind us to rededicate ourselves to God, service and our fellow man."
"As I heard it, it all started when a lance corporal sent a letter to the commandant stating that the base chapel needed repair," Simpson said. "The funding was then provided (by Headquarters Marine Corps)."
The Marine Memorial Chapel was built in 1943 as the Post Chapel and was often called "The Chapel on the Hill." It was renovated in 1987 to add office space and completely reconstructed this year, because it needed earthquake stability upgrading, better lighting and air conditioning, Simpson said.
During the project, chapel services were temporarily held at the Base Training Center. The new chapel reopened its doors Sept. 10.
"Before I first started this project, I came in and sat down in the pews," said Jim Stanclift, project superintendent, West Coast Contractors of Nevada. "I thought about how important this building is to so many Marines and their families. Many Marines have been memorialized and married here. Even my veterinarian was married here. So it was important to me, in the memory of all these families, to do the best job we could do.
"We started in January, but it got off to a slow start from the rain in April," Stancliff added. "But then it went fairly smooth."
Although the chapel still only seats its original capacity, nearly 500 people, it has more than just a new look.
"We restructured the whole building," Stancliff said.
"This is a much better place to praise God than we had," Simpson said.
New cushioned pews with access for walkers and wheelchairs, handicap-accessible bathrooms, carpet, interior paint, exterior stucco, and a cry room for infants is just the beginning.
"I like it," Stancliff said. "It looks vastly different. We totally redid all the electrical wiring and put in heating and air conditioning. We put a new roof over the old roof and added a steeple."
A new video system with a 12-foot by 12-foot screen that can show videos for worship or presentations was added. The video system will be available to commands on base for training smaller groups. "I'm hoping that any group who comes in here for training will come back for church," Simpson said.
Even a state-of-the-art sound system was added, Stancliff said.
Gary Holden, foreman, WCC of Nevada, Incorporated, said, "We reconfigured the entire altar, adding a handicapped ramp and a new choir area."
New sprinkler and fire systems were added. "We are very well protected from fire now," Simpson said.
"We upgraded the telephone system by adding brand new phone lines to the church," said Sgt. Alex C. Trujano, construction wireman, Computer Network Systems Division, MCB.
"People will definitely feel more comfortable here," Simpson said. "Anyone who comes here to worship can feel at home. But the building is only a part of it. It's what happens inside that keep people coming back. We are renewing the community with a spirit of welcome.
"One of the things we chaplains are committed to, in terms of the total readiness of every service member and their family, is their spiritual well-being," he said. "Remember the old saying, 'There are no atheists in foxholes.'"
Simpson said, "I want people to know that God really cares deeply about them. He wants to be there in the most difficult times of their lives. I hope they meet a God who loves them passionately, who would like to provide all the support and strength they need. If they have already met him, I hope they really feel joyful coming here to worship him.
"We'd like to invite everyone to be part of our worshipping community. All our welcome, but our primary responsibility is toward our active-duty personnel stationed here," he said.