PLAINVIEW, Texas -
A lot of love went into building the James and Eva Mayer Chapel. It's the first of its kind: a chapel built entirely by volunteers on the grounds of a Texas state jail.
The volunteers are with the Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders. After months of hard work, the chapel is finally finished.
"It gives us a drive and a blessing beyond any person's understanding," said Ron Beard, one of the retiree builders.
The chapel is located on the grounds of the Formby/Wheeler State Jail in Plainview, which is home to about 1,600 inmates.
"You'll have those that just come to watch and want to see, then you'll have those who want to come here and really worship," said Senior Warden Charles McDuffie.
The chapel does not have any windows, which was originally a concern, says Les Griffin, director of the Caprock Plains Baptist Area.
"We had a few of the offenders come in and they like it not having windows because they can't see out to the fences and the other buildings. It's like an area of rescue, an area of hope," Griffin said.
The inter-denominational chapel to set to begin services on Sunday.
Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) was at the dedication ceremony Wednesday, and says hearts will be changed.
"You've got somebody coming in that's got a message that's about eternity, about hope, about we're all in the same boat. We're all sinners saved by grace.," Perry said. "That is such an uplifting and encouraging [message], and that's how people get changed."
Behind the walls are inspirational messages written by the inmates themselves. Their words are meant to give hope to future offenders.
"There's all kinds of scriptures that are behind [the walls], and right behind the podium, it says, I believe, "may all who come seeking peace find the Prince of Peace here," Griffin said.
There were a few hiccups along the way.
"We wanted to cut a hole in the back fence to get our equipment in, but let me tell you something, the 11 guys in that room from TDCJ were not having any of that," Griffin said.
But the builders say the message never strayed off course.
"Not very many people seem to care about what happens to those who have broken laws in this country. As long as they're put in jail, they don't have to be thought about anymore," said Ann Beard, a retiree builder. "But every one of them has a soul. Every one of them is a human being, worth something. We just need to be able to have ways to reach them."
