The Chapel Creation Coalition (CCC) is an ad-hoc committee who have joined together for the purpose of providing support for World Mission Builders, Prison Chapel, Inc., and Prison Rehabilitation Centers, Inc. in the collective effort of building chapels/centers in 15 prisons in Oklahoma. The CCC members participate in a series of meetings for the purpose of soliciting the donation of cash, goods, and services for the building of various chapels/centers. This is accomplished through regular participation in meetings held area churches and businesses. The CCC desires to contact, inform, and challenge foundations, churches, businesses and individuals to make donations to the prison chapel/center projects. This is a Coalition of the Willing.
The first chapel/center at Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center (EWCC), Taft, OK has been completed. The first chapel/center has 4800 sq. ft., three classrooms, library/computer lab, card shop, two offices, 176 seat auditorium, stage, baptistry, and an audio system.
Dozens of inmates enthusiastically assisted with the construction along with 40+ volunteers from six states. Scores of area business people signed on to this volunteer project by providing over $130,000.000 of donated goods and services. Churches and individuals donated over $100,000.00. The project was finished ahead of schedule and under budget.
This chapel/center was begun September 20, 2009 and was put into service January, 2010.
Kathryn McCollum, EWCC Chaplain, reports that the chapel/center is being used by over 50 groups or ministries and the program attendance has increased by over 30%. The number of classes offered has increased significantly. The day schedule has been maxed out and services are held 7 nights a week. The waiting list has been reduced from 300 to 120 ladies. Hundreds of ladies have graduated from 13 week courses. Over 160 ladies have been baptized in the new baptistry in 2010. The Chaplain says she already needs another 1/2 chapel/center. The lady offenders really love their chapel/center and take each new arriving offender to visit the chapel/center.
The new chapel/center at Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center is being used beyond our wildest expectations for faith-based and educational programs as well as social activities.
The construction of the second chapel/center at Bill Johnson Correctional Center in Alva, OK., was begun September 20, 2010. This is a 6000 sq. ft. chapel/center and welcome center. The dedication was held April 22, 2011. The chapel/center was funded by a matching grant from the SHARE foundation of $250,000.00. Churches, businesses, and individuals from the community of Alva have responded with the donation of matching funds, goods, and services. In total over $400,000.00 of cash, donated goods and services was received for the chapel/center.
The current project is to build TWO chapels/centers at Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK. The site work (donated) and the floors are being poured this summer for both chapels/centers. We still have need of donated cement in order to pour the floors. Then the “barn raising” begins September 16, 2011. At the end of two weeks, the buildings should be in the dry. The Chapel Creation Coalition is meeting about every two weeks in order to obtain more donated goods and services and cash of $100,000.00 to complete both chapels/centers. We welcome anyone to attend these meetings for more information and to catch the vision of building chapels/ centers in 15 Oklahoma prisons.
