JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Leaders at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will celebrate the re-opening of the newly renovated Main Chapel on JBLM Lewis Main during a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, at 11 a.m.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will showcase the completion of the 13 month $5.5 million renovation project that included installation of a fire prevention system, elevators, air conditioning, new bathrooms, classrooms with flat-screen televisions and a new kitchen for the 78-year-old chapel and the adjoining fellowship hall.

JBLM received funding to rehabilitate the chapel in 2011. The main priority of the renovation was to retain the chapel’s historic character while making it more functional.  Dr. Duane Denfeld, JBLM Architectural Historian provided guidance concerning appropriate materials while emphasizing the protection of historic elements.

Chapel construction was originally completed on November 9, 1934 at a cost of $90,000. There have been very few and limited changes to the chapel since its original opening. Its architectural design can be described as streamlined Romanesque with heavy, articulated masonry construction. There is use of round arches and rib and shaft in vaulting, which is exposed in the interior.

Media interested in covering the ceremony and walking through the recently renovated Chapel are asked to RSVP by calling the Public Affairs Office at (253) 967-0148 or (253) 967-0152.  After regular duty hours, call (253) 967-0015 and ask for the public affairs officer on call.