All Faiths Chapel

All Faiths Chapel, previously known as Chapel for the Children, is an interfaith house of worship and historical landmark in Austin, Texas. It is on the grounds of the Austin State Supported Living Center (AusSSLC), a facility for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, which was known at the time of the chapel's construction as the Austin State School. As of May 9, 2022, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its importance in architectural, disability, and social history.

The chapel was constructed following a request by Reverend Luther Holloway, Austin State School's chaplain, for a dedicated space for worship. Organizations such as the Protestant Austin Council of Church Women, the Austin Jewish Community Council, and the Catholic Ladies of Charity, instituted a statewide fundraising campaign for the construction of the chapel. Additional funding came from soldiers who were stationed in Germany. The funds raised eventually totaled over $100,000. Construction by architect David Calvert Graeber finished around 1961, and Chapel for the Children was dedicated on January 21, 1962. From 1961 to 1972, Chapel for the Children served as an interfaith chapel for students of the AusSSLC, and now serves as an area for spiritual and religious services for residents, family members, employees, and the public. After David Graeber's death in 2010, the Chapel hosted his memorial service. Family members asked for, in lieu of flowers, donations to be made in his name to the maintenance fund for the chapel.

All Faiths Chapel consists of 3 distinct sections: the main chapel, a meditation garden, and a chaplaincy office.

Main Chapel The main chapel consists of a 52-foot high A-frame with a skylighted ceiling. Both gable ends feature the stained glass design "Miracle in the Sky" by artist Blossom Burns. The interior design includes copper light fixtures made by hand and door handles that depict simple abstracted flying birds. The Texas Historical Commission states that these birds "reflect the importance of music and graphic arts in teaching religious concepts to persons with physical and cognitive impairments."

Data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).