Columbus AFB chapel celebrates 80 years

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.-- Columbus Air Force Base celebrated the 80th anniversary of its chapel with a ceremony on April 5, 2022, on Columbus AFB, Miss.

Built in 1942, the chapel is recognized as the oldest standing building at Columbus AFB. It is older than the U.S. Air Force branch itself.

The chapel is known to members of Columbus AFB as a symbol of heritage and a place of spirituality.

Lt. Col. Christopher Watson, 14th Flying Training Wing head chaplain, spoke about the heritage of the chapel.

“This chapel has stood as a stood as a house of worship, a place of solace, and a beacon of hope for all those who enter,” Watson said. “If these walls could talk, they would cry out what they have seen over the past 80 years, they would have a beautiful story to tell.”

Watson told stories about the chapel from its 80 years of standing as he spoke of various notable events, weddings and funerals that took place there.

“Inside these walls, Airmen and Soldiers’ families gathered on Sunday mornings to worship their god,” he said. “Inside these walls, lifelong bonds and friendships were built, which our retirees who have been here for decades can attest to.”

After Watson’s speech, Col. Seth Graham, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, gave his thoughts on the base chapel.

“Part of our heritage, as Americans is our constitution and shrined in the First Amendment is the freedom of religion,” Graham said. “For this building to be the oldest on base, I think that says a lot of what spirituality means to us as military members.”

Graham then gave closing remarks for the ceremony.

“Thank you to everyone who came out today to memorialize our chapel,” he said. “Hopefully we have another 80 years of this building and all of the great things that happen here.”