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Cardinal Creek Chapel reopens after two years

  • Published
  • By 375th Airlift Wing Chapel staff
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  A vision will become a reality as Cardinal Creek Chapel, formerly known as Chapel 2, celebrates their grand re-opening after more than two and a half years closure June 22.

Chapel 2 was closed in September 2005 due to potential health risks. After two years of dormancy, new chapel leadership researched the closure and discovered that, with some minor renovations, Chapel 2 could operate again.

"This Chapel will become a vital part of providing spiritual care and nurture to the ever expanding population on Joint Total Force Scott," said Chap. (Col.) Frank Yerkes, Scott Air Force Base chaplain.

The renovation process included painting the entire interior of the chapel, converting four small class rooms into two larger rooms by removing walls, replacing worn carpet with tile flooring in the class rooms, upgrading lighting, installing a new fire detection and new projection systems, and fixing the sound system.

Future improvements include installing new pews, re-carpeting the entire sanctuary, upgrading the sound system, as well as installing a new pulpit and altar with a baptismal font.

"The resurrection of Cardinal Creek Chapel will enable us to greatly expand our ministry footprint on JTF Scott," the chaplain said. "It will immediately enrich our Gospel Service, by giving it a more palatable worship time and a better opportunity for growth."

The re-opening of this chapel also opens many other creative worship and spiritual care and nurture opportunities that were impossible with one chapel facility.

"Needless to say, we are overjoyed with the limitless opportunities this gives us to glorify God, honor Airmen and serve all in a more excellent way," he added.

Restoring this piece of chapel history would not have been possible without many on JTF Scott who gave of their time and talents to make this vision a reality.

"The chapel staff and base community owe a great debt of gratitude to the outstanding Civil Engineering professionals, who far exceeded our expectations in their support during this process," said Chaplain Yerkes. "And a special thanks to our chapel volunteers from the gospel service and my staff, who spent many hours cleaning, scraping, patching holes, sanding, painting and coordinating the renovation of the chapel."

Chapel 2 was re-named, Cardinal Creek Chapel to reflect its location near the Cardinal Creek Golf Course on Scott. It was dedicated March 31, 1967 by then Air Force Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Edwin R. Chess and was the first "chapel-in-the round," in the Air Force.

Chapel 2 was used to provide spiritual care to the then heavily populated Wherry and Scott Lake Housing Areas, later renamed Cardinal Creek Village. It was the home for the Inspirational Gospel, Contemporary and Liturgical services.