Chapel of the Centurion facts for kids
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Chapel of the Centurion
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Fort Monroe, Chapel of the Centurion, HABS Photo
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia |
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| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | Richard Upjohn |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| Part of | Fort Monroe (ID66000912) |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000582 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966, March 28, 2011 |
The Chapel of the Centurion is a very special building located inside Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. It is known for being the oldest wooden building in the United States that has been used continuously for religious services by the military. The chapel gets its name from Cornelius the Centurion, who was an important figure believed to be the first non-Jewish person to become a Christian.
Contents
A Look Back: The Chapel's Story
Building and Design
Work on the chapel started in 1856, and it was officially opened for services on May 3, 1858. A famous architect named Richard Upjohn designed it. He used a style called Carpenter Gothic, which makes buildings look like they are made of wood but with fancy details, similar to stone Gothic churches. Fort Monroe, where the chapel stands, used to be an active Army base, but it is not anymore.
National Recognition
Because of its historical importance, the Chapel of the Centurion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. This means it is recognized as a significant historical place in the country.
The Chapel Today
The Chapel of the Centurion still has an active church community. On March 25, 2012, Lucious B. Morton became the first civilian and first permanent pastor of the Centurion Interdenominational Church. This marked a new chapter for the chapel, as it transitioned from being primarily a military chapel to serving a wider community.
See also
- United States Army Chaplain Corps
