The area around the chapel has been used as a convalescent camp for American troops based around Rockhampton to rest after combat operations in the Pacific Islands. During the peak time of American occupation more than 70,000 American soldiers from the 24th, 32nd and 41st U.S Army combat divisions, and One Army Corps - "1Corps", were stationed in the Rockhampton area.
Wikipedia
The church was used for all denominations at that time and still is when every year a church service is held on the nearest Sunday to July 4.
More about St. Christophers Chapel is [ here ]
Not that many Australians or Americans realize or know about St. Christopers Chapel.
The Altar above and below the view from one of the sides. No windows to let the breeze in on hot days.
I'm 'experiencing' a lot of history today
ReplyDeleteYes you are, as long as you enjoy.
DeleteSimply but fantastic chapel
ReplyDeleteIt is simple, but it was war time and for the heat of the tropics.
DeleteDefinitely new to me. Thank you. And I love the wall-less state. Practical - and symbolic as well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting what we find out by following a blog, then I found out by travelling. A nice chapel and I'm pleased it's still used once in awhile.
DeleteI like the open air structure.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't feel too stifled in the heat in the chapel.
DeleteI do like this open air chapel. It is simple but very nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to visit this special place, and on the boards near the roof are names of those who ran races, they had their own Olympics I believe.
DeleteYes. I've visited there - a long time ago...back in the mid-60s.
ReplyDeleteNana and Mum used to tell my brother and me about it when we were kids. My grandparent's home in Rockhampton had an air raid shelter in the backyard. It was big enough to hold one of their neighbouring families as well.
That was a good idea to have a shelter, and not many people realize what it was like up that way in the War, I know I didn't until I was up that way.
DeleteQuite a find. Thank you for the background and the look around.
ReplyDeleteWas a good find on our travels.
DeleteYou are welcome.
Love to know the history.. great post..
ReplyDeleteI always like to know a bit about the history of a p lace that I visit.
DeleteAn open air chapel! I've only ever seen those in movies about Hawaii and other island nations.
ReplyDeleteI like it, it has a peaceful look to it.
I had never seen one till this one, never even thought of a chapel not having any sides etc. The history is amazing to me.
DeleteAlways like the stories of your journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wong.
Deleteinteresting place!
ReplyDeleteIt is and not that many know about it, especially the history.
DeleteIt is striking, the small chapel, for its great simplicity.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Built in times of trouble to the best of their ability.
DeleteMost of the churches in Papua New Guinea were open air or next to being open air
ReplyDeleteplaces of worship. I have noted similar churches with open air walls - some have pulleys to pull protective walls up in storm times in New Caledonia, Bali, Thailand and Guam. Very sensible, I think.
Sitting in a walled in church in the tropics would test your praying ability.
Even in Brisbane during the sweltering humid summer months, St. Stephens Catholic
Cathedral has all the side doors wide open and the overhead fans going 50 to the dozen!
If not the praying congregation would be in a lather and praying that the priest would get a move on - ha ha.
Colin
:) Colin. I can only imagine what it would be like in church on such days.
DeleteGlad to the site has been preserved. The upkeep is impressive.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased it is preserved as well, because it teaches me and others the involvement the USA had in the War. It's all history.
DeleteThe chapel just suits for the climate. This place knows the history.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
Yes it does know history and if those walls could talk :)
Delete