Dobbins Chapel Celebrates 56 Years of Service to Guardsmen

For 56 years the old wooden chapel has been a landmark at the entrance to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Located only a few hundred yards from the base’s active tarmac, the chapel has provided servicemen of every military branch -- active, Guard and Reserve- with quiet solitude and a place of spiritual reflection.

On Sunday, Oct 22, a small gathering of former 116th Air Guardsmen, current Guardsmen of Headquarters GA Air National Guard, and friends gathered at the historic chapel for a service to commemorate over half century of service to the men and women who have worked and served at Dobbins.

“This structure means many things to many people,” said Georgia’s Adjutant General, Lt. General David Poythress. “It would be interesting to know the number of weddings, deployments and other significant unit events that have taken place at this Chapel. It is because of these events and the significance they have in our lives that we gather today to recognize this structure and the role it played in the spiritual and emotional well being of our people through the years.”

On hand to lead the congregation in the memorial service was Col Robert C. Pooley who preached the first sermon at the new Chapel at Dobbins. Now in his 90s, Col Pooley expressed his gratitude at having been asked to return to participate in the service.

The chapel was transplanted to Dobbins from its original location in North Carolina. According to Air Force records, only three of these chapels originally built to be moved to various locations have survived the test of time.

“I have enjoyed some of my most wonderful experiences here at this chapel,” said Maj Gen. Scott Hammond, Commander, Georgia Air National Guard. Hammond who married his wife in the chapel humorously recalled his wedding day, when in mid-August the air conditioning at the old chapel failed to work He also recalled several occasions at the Chapel where memorial services we held for departed Guardsmen and friends.

Although the Dobbins Chapel has stood at it present location for over five decades, its future is not as promising as plans exist to raze the building. A group of former 116th Guardsmen committed to keeping the Chapel has formed a non-profit organization to keep the structure in its present location. Those interested in being a part of the organization known simply as “The Chapel Foundation”, invites your participation by contact Chief Master Sergeant Dick Roberts at 404-558-0155.

In recalling the history of the base church, Col Allen Withers AF Staff Chaplain, HQ 22nd Air Force spoke to the importance of passing along to future generations elements of our history. He also noted to those gathered an interesting link that the chapel has with General Patton’s Third US Army. The Dobbins chapel was originally dedicated in 1956 by Brig Gen James H. O’Neill, the Chaplain for Patton’s Third Army who authored distributed to soldiers the famous “Prayer for Fair Weather” on December 8, 1944 during the “Battle of the Bulge."