Constructed of aluminum, glass and steel, the chapel at the US Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs soars 150 feet into the sky. Between the seventeen spires are narrow gaps filled with stained glass of various colors depending on their placement in the structure. It is one of the most unique and beautiful churches to be found anywhere. The chapel was completed in 1962 at a cost of $3.5 million to serve the spiritual needs of cadets. Pictured here is the largest of the chapels located on the main level. On the lower level are smaller chapels for other denominations/faiths including Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist and an 'all faiths' chapel serving the needs of Muslims and other faiths.
Everything about the main chapel is mammoth. It seats 1,200 worshipers. The cross behind the main alter is 46 feet tall, 12 feet wide and weighs 1,200 pounds. The organ, located in the balcony opposite the alter, contains 4,334 pipes. The largest pipe is 32 feet high and the smallest is pencil size. Okay, so not everything is mammoth!
The chapel is the most visited structure in Colorado, receiving 800,000 visitors each year. In September of 2019, the chapel was closed for an extensive four-year, $150 million renovation.
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