YOUR THOUGHTS? Church chapels appeal to different religions

Rev Chester Cook

When do Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists come to the same place to pray?

An airport interfaith chapel is the most likely place.

The challenge to appeal to every denomination is the toughest part for an airport chaplain. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Rev. Chester Cook, an ordained United Methodist minister, has to be a jack of all faiths.

“There are representations of almost every faith,” Cook told the Associated Press. He recently oversaw a $200,000 renovation that more than doubled the airport chapel to its current size. “There are Buddhists in their orange robes, there are some Hindus … I helped a Wiccan one time.”

1,500 per week visit the chapel

About 1,500 people per week visit the chapel, a fraction of the 250,000 people who pass through the world’s busiest airport each day. The chapel remains unadorned to maintain its interfaith feel. There’s room to hold 30 people, and a library of everything from Gideon Bibles to Jewish mystical texts. A large floor mat provides a cushiony spot to kneel for prayer; officials don’t set it aside for any specific faith.

“We try to help others be respectful in honoring the way someone else may practice their faith,” said Cook, adding that even Christmas decorations are kept to a minimum.

Airport chapels date back to the 1940s with the explosion of commercial aviation and military travel.

One Chapel Faiths All

Rev. Michael Zaniolo is chaplain at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, and president of the National Conference of Catholic Airport Chaplains. He said some airports have had multiple chapels to accommodate various faiths.

“Instead of having four or five very small chapels, we’ve got one nice-sized chapel. And it’s available for everyone.” he said, referring to chapels across the country.

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