Post Chapel, Fort Sam Houston

From 1909 imtil the present the Chapel has served as a religious center for Fort Sam Houston and the men stationed here. From its start the Chapel has been unique. This building serves as a symbol of cooperation between the citizens of San Antonio and the servicemen at Fort Sam Houston. Funds were donated for its construction by local civilians.

During the first thirty years of its existence Fort Sam Houston had no permanent chapel. Religious services were conducted in temporary shelters, in open encampments, and after 188U in the little St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Grayson Street.

In 1907, Chaplain Thomas J. Dickson initiated a movement to provide for a permanent chapel on the Post. Community leaders of San Antonio and members of the military garrison rallied behind this effort, and a fund raising committee was formed. Architect Leo M.J. Dielmann of San Antonio was chosen to design the chapel, and the City of San Antonio donated a parcel of land known as "Maverick Park" as the site.

On 17 October 1909, President William H. Taft formally dedicated the new chapel during elaborate ceremonies that included the Honorable Jacob M. Dickinson, Secretary of War; Mayor Bryan Callaghan of San Antonio; approximately six hundred guests; several thousand citizens witnessing the event from the roped off area, and an assembled post complement in full dress review formation of mounted and dismounted troops. Although not completed, the chapel had been formally accepted by the President the night before. The names of 1,000 donors were sealed in the cornerstone.

The chapel immediately became the center of religious activity on post with services open to the public and available to all denominations. It was used extensively during the military mobilization of 1911, and officially turned over to the Quartermaster of Fort Sam Houston as United States property in that year, although the interior of the chapel was not yet completed.

By 1930, with the advent of talking pictures, the chapel received the small pipe organ formerly used in the old War Department theater of Camp Travis adjoining Fort Sam Houston. Between 1929 and 1931, much labor and love were lavished on the chapel. Installed were twenty-two stained glass windows and four stained glass fan lights. Six of these commemorate the Union Veterans of the Civil War; United Spanish War Veterans, Camp No. 1; the Chapel Guild; and the Ladies Auxiliary. The Chapel Guild, organized in 1931 by Chaplain Ora-Cohee, was comprised of the Ladies Auxiliary, the Post Sunday School, the Cath-olic Altar Guild and the Christian Endeavor. Their joint efforts led to exten-sive remodeling. Other stained glass windows are memorials to Fannie Easter-brook, Chaplain Edmund F. Easterbrook and Chaplain Thomas J. Dickson. In the various windows and fanlights are the following insignia: Coats of Arms of the United States; Air Corps; Adjutant General's Department; Cavalry; Chaplain (Christian); Chemical Warfare Service; Corps of Engineers; Finance Department; Field Artillery; Infantry; Medical Department; Military Police; Ordnance Department; Quartermaster Corps; and Signal Corps.

During succeeding years additional renovations improved the chapel, and re-dedication ceremonies were held in 1939 and 1955 to commemorate these efforts. During the summer of 1955 the altar, chancel rail, pulpit, and lecturn were finished in fumed oak, and all dark woodwork and the interior walls painted a light buff color. Behind the altar a 17 foot reredos in fumed oak was added. The attractive chapel grounds were improved by the installation of a lawn sprinkling system. In 1958, the chapel was air conditioned. On 17 October 1959, the 50th Anniversary was celebrated. Among the several hundred invited guests were the Honorable Paul J. Kilday, United States Representative from Texas' 20th District, Mayor J. Edwin Kuykendall of San Antonio, Mr. Leo M. J. Dielmann, architect for the chapel, and Captain (Ret) Thomas D. Given who had been assigned as Trumpeter with Battery C, 3d Field Artillery stationed at Fort Sam Houston in 1909. He had played the solo rendition of the PRESIDENT'S MARCH for the original dedication ceremonies.

October 12, 1969, saw the dedicatory recital of the new chapel organ, a magnificent custom built instrument consisting of three manuals and pedal and 33 ranks of pipes. It was installed in the choir loft above the chapel entrance. Guest organist, the distinguished Dr. Robert Anderson of Southern Methodist University, performed a program of eight selections including one of his own compositions.

In December 1970, a Chapel Memorialization Program was begun with Fort Sam Houston and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as co-sponsors. The purpose was to further enhance the interior of the "Gift Chapel" following a patriotic military theme. A Chapel Memorialization Council Fund was formed to manage, collect, and record funds, and display commemorative items received.

On 10 May 1971 Chapel Memorialization services were held with a formal ecumenical dedication ceremony. The results were rewarding to the throng of invited guests. Promptly at 4:00 p.m. the Eisenhower Chimes rang out the call for ceremonies to begin. Prayers of dedication were offered by the Most Reverend Francis J. Furey, Archbishop of San Antonio; the Right Reverend Harold C. Cosnell. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas; Dr. David Jacobson, Rabbi, Temple Beth-El; and the Reverend C. Don Baugh, President of the San Antonio Council of Churches. The major contribution made by Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower toward the purchase and installation of the electronic chimes reflected her affectionate and long association with Fort Sam Houston. Above the nave high on the wall were hung the flags of the United States, Texas, the United States Army, and San Antonio. To the left and right of these were hung the flags of the eight major units formerly stationed here. From the balcony in colorful precision on the left and right sides of the main chapel were hung the flags of the fifty States as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C, and the Virgin Islands. To complete the square, from the balcony near the entrance were hung the eight flags of major units currently assigned at Fort Sam Houston.

The worship area to the right of the main chapel room was transformed into a chapel synagogue to accommodate the Jewish faith. This outstanding effort was in perfect harmony with the whole interior of the chapel. .A.t the entrance to this area hangs the Ner Tamid (the eternal light), and the Ark contains the Scrolls of the Law and all the accoutrements of a synagogue.

Along the walls near the chapel entrance were placed memorial plaques, beautifully inscribed, honoring units and men who have served here. On the left a large plaque designates the location of the flags, their donors and their honorees. A lecturn and pulpit, each with self-contained speaker system and electronically controlled height adjustment, were completed in 1972 from this fund. The main altar was remodeled. In the same year, at a cost of over $10,000 donated by the Chief of Chaplains' Fund, the fine stained glass windows were carefully restored and refurbished and a protective glass cover placed on the outside to prevent damage and prolong the life of these beautiful mementos. Since its inception in 1907 this chapel has been embellished and lovingly cared for by thousands of people. Each year has seen it nourished; each decade has seen it grow. In return the chapel has given solace, comfort, and joy to countless thousands of men and women, from the very young to the very old. Although open to the public, it has seen most often the men and women in uni-form who come to spend their private moments and thoughts with God.

Inscribed on the granite slab to the left of the entrance are the words: "DEDICATED BY WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, October 17, 1909."