When closed in 1991 The Fort Douglas Chapel was the longest continuously operating military chapel in the U.S. Army.  This was a popular site for weddings for people connected with Fort Douglas, and their families.

    At most Army posts in the 19th century, the Chaplain was also responsible for education of the children living on the post, and of soldiers who desired further educational opportunities.  This included running a library. Often, the Chaplain would perform these duties himself, as well as caring for the religious needs of the post. Other times, on larger posts, the Chaplain would merely supervise these functions.

    Chapel services were one of the few times that the social distinction between officers and enlisted men were let down, and they contributed of their talents to the musical, choral, and devotional needs of the military community.

    Built in 1884 from wood, instead of the sandstone typical of most buildings on the post, it was later covered with cement-asbestos shingles, and ended up as another undistinguished off-white building similar to thousands of "temporary" buildings that once filled military posts around the country.

    Today, the Officers' Club at Fort Douglas is being restored.using the colorful features from its Victorian origins.

Copyright © 2001 All rights reserved.
Fort Douglas Military Museum Association
Revised: 11 November 2001.