The Cathedral of the Air stands near the entrance to the Lakehurst Naval Station, the U.S. Navy component of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. It is an elegant, non-denominational monument to faith and fellowship built by the American Legion in 1932. Regular services at the cathedral have faded over time and it now only hosts occasional weddings, baptisms and anniversaries.
Navy Captain James Howell (above), the commanding officer at the Lakehurst Naval Station, has taken a personal interest in restoring and reviving the chapel. “Joint Base leadership is aware of what this building means to the military and civilian communities,” said Howell. “I would like to see the cathedral used in as many ways as the community sees useful.”
Navy Lt. Commander Chaplain Chad Haan (above) is a driving force in helping Captain Howell bring the Cathedral of the Air back to life. “Captain Howell is providing the impetus to re-establish the cathedral as a place for both military and civilian communities to come and ponder the mysteries of life,” said Haan. “We do not want to draw people away from their congregations with this chapel. It is for commemorating special events.”
Gil Robb Wilson was the American Legion Chaplain who conceived the idea of the Cathedral as a place where the community could “memorialize the U.S. military dead, particularly those of the aviation services.” The cathedral was built during the depths of the Great Depression, yet the Legion’s call for financial support was answered by 60,000 people who contributed, on average, one dollar.
A milestone service was held at the cathedral on June 23 to celebrate the anniversary of its groundbreaking. It was the first formal Sunday service held there since 2012. Special services are scheduled for later this year – on November 10 to remember Veterans Day and on December 22 to celebrate Christmas.