Plain English Why airports have chapels
7 snips
May 26, 2025 Many airports feature chapels or prayer rooms, providing travelers a quiet space for reflection. Initially designed for staff, these interfaith sanctuaries now serve everyone during stressful travel. The podcast discusses how airport chaplains play a crucial role in offering emotional support, particularly during life transitions. Listeners learn about the significant weddings held in these unique spaces and the chaplains’ involvement in mediating tensions and supporting people during challenging times.
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Host's Airport Chapel Experience
- Jeff has visited many airport areas but never entered an airport chapel.
- He has noticed announcements and signs for chapels but remained curious about their purpose and interior.
Interfaith Chapels Offer Quiet Refuge
- Most airport chapels are interfaith and decorated neutrally to accommodate all faiths.
- They offer religious texts, private rooms for prayer, and a calm, soundproof environment for reflection.
Origin of Airport Chapels
- The first airport chapel opened in 1951 for Boston airport employees who often missed church.
- Named Our Lady of the Airways, it provided Catholic Mass during shift hours.