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 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. It's the oldest wooden building in the United States that has been used continuously for religious services by the military. The chapel is named after Cornelius the Centurion. He is thought to be the first non-Jewish person to become a Christian.
History of the Chapel
Work on building the chapel started in 1856. It was officially ready for use on May 3, 1858. A famous architect named Richard Upjohn designed the chapel. He used a style called Carpenter Gothic. This style often features steep roofs and pointed arches, like old churches.
Fort Monroe used to be an active Army base. The Chapel of the Centurion was an important part of the base. In 2011, the chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites across the country.
The Chapel Today
Even though Fort Monroe is no longer an active Army post, the Chapel of the Centurion is still used. It has an active church community. On March 25, 2012, Lucious B. Morton became its first civilian and permanent pastor. The church is called the Centurion Interdenominational Church. This means it welcomes people from different Christian groups.
See also
- United States Army Chaplain Corps
