Fort George G. Meade: The First 100 Years

34 THE FIRST 100 YEARS
Camp Meade. At first he sought use of an old house in
the middle of the camp but was told it was being used
for Belgium relief work. Undeterred from his mission, he
secured funds, an architect, and the blessings from three
surrounding dioceses and the Church War Commission in
Baltimore. He was chaplain-in-charge at the chapel until
he and four other civilian chaplains enlisted and were
deployed to France. A service flag with five stars hung
above the chapel entrance representing the chaplains who
had chosen to serve.
Epiphany is a well-prayed-in chapel. It’s an ordinary
little church with an extraordinary history. The chapel’s
mission was to be a home away from home, a place where
soldiers could gather for fellowship, counseling, worship,
and to say farewell to loved ones. Family members were
invited do spend the night in the accommodations on
the second floor. From its very inception it was to be a
place where all people were welcome, regardless of their
religious affiliation, race, or ethnicity. Among the many
period stained glass windows, there is only one pictorial
window. It depicts Jesus with the children surrounded
by families. A strange selection for a military chapel?
Hardly. It acknowledges that every soldier is someone’s
child, someone’s parent, someone’s son or daughter. It
acknowledges that when soldiers go to war, their families
go too. The late Tom MacNemar, son of the local town
doctor in 1918, remembered when the Armistice was
announced. MacNemara wrote:
“I was four years old. The train whistles blew,
the church bell rang.
My mother took me by the hand and we ran
down Odenton Road. We ran right into the chapel,
up to the front pew, and got on our knees to thank
God that the war was over and that my father would
be coming home.”
Epiphany Chapel and Church House still stands as an
active congregation serving the community and to give
new generations a chance to remember those who made
many personal sacrifices–the ones who fought and the
ones who stood behind them. With the same spirit of
inclusivity and support, Epiphany Chapel “welcomes all”
and “keeps the home fires burning.”
(Pg. 32) The Epiphany Chapel offered a quiet place for Camp
Meade soldiers to read and relax. The chapel offered services
to all, regardless of religious affiliation, race or ethnicity.
(Right) Today, the chapel is on National Historic Registry.
The grounds offer a memorial garden and a small museum.
The chapel recently published, 'Keeping the Faith', a 500-
page book chronicling the chapel’s beginnings.
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