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The Chapel in the Meadow |
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Many of the Italian Prisoners of War
were skilled artisans. In 1943, a group of them received permission to
build a chapel from Lt. Col. John L. Gammell, the commanding officer at
the internment camp. The prisoners were encouraged to build the chapel
by the priest at the camp, Father Imhoff. The chapel is 11 feet by 16 feet and
constructed of brick and stucco. It is enclosed on three sides and open
on the south. There are openings in the shape of crosses in the east and
west walls. A large cross is on the south pinnacle of the chapel roof.
Inside the chapel, a permanent altar was constructed at the north end.
It was painted in such a way that much of it looks like marble. A
painting of a crucifix with two cherubs adorns the wall above the alter.
The eye of God is painted on the ceiling and frescos of the Madonna,
angels, St. Anthony and the Dove of Peace are painted on the walls. The
floor was painted to simulate a carpet. The prisoners had limited art
supplies. They mixed dyes from berries, flower petals and plants and
even used their own blood for the colorful frescos. The chapel was
dedicated to the Blessed Mother and was named "The Chapel in the
Meadow". Father Imhoff held Mass or the prisoners at the chapel on
Sundays. When the prison camp was closed at the end of the war, the chapel was neglected. The Military Department of Indiana now owns the ground. |
 Page
last revised
09/01/20222James D. West www.IndianaMilitary.org Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org |
