The Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado
The Cadet Chapel is the most recognizable building at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the most visited man-made tourist attraction in Colorado. This aluminum, glass, and steel structure features 17 spires that shoot 150 feet into the sky. It is considered among the most beautiful examples of modern American academic architecture.
It serves as an all-faith center of worship for cadets and includes Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels, an All-Faiths Room, and a Falcon Circle, each with its own entrance. The Chapel is capable of holding services in all rooms at one time.
In addition to the main office in Sijan Hall, chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen are also assigned to each of the four cadet groups. Chaplain offices are provided in both halls. Chaplains provide all cadets with daily opportunities for worship, regular visitation within the cadet-training areas, and are available to provide confidential counseling and mentorship.
Set in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Air Force Academy's sleek modern architecture, monumental scale, and dramatic setting combine to create a stunning national monument. Its gleaming aluminum, steel, and glass buildings are not only a reflection of modern architecture but are a "living embodiment of the modernity of flying."1
Established during the first decade of the Cold War, when the threat of nuclear attack and Communist expansion loomed large, the Air Force Academy symbolized the importance of air power to our nation's security. As the Air Force became the nation's primary military arm during the 1950s, the Air Force Academy was charged with training and educating officers capable of meeting the challenges of the nuclear age. Today, the Academy continues its proud tradition of providing the Air Force with a corps of dedicated officers.