In some instances these facilities have been used by departments other
than the religious program for child care and preschool activities. When such
circumstances are present, special attention is needed in allocation and
control of spaces.
c.
Typical Schedules of Use. Chapel facilities are normally open and
staffed daily from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., but late evening activity is
frequent also. Worship events follow as much as possible customary times;
religious education may be limited to Sunday, but may also occur on weekdays.
Other activities are scheduled appropriately.
6.
SPECIAL ASPECTS OF NAVAL FACILITIES
a.
Authorities in Control. Naval chapels differ from comparable
facilities in civilian situations in a number of very significant ways. The
most obvious of these is that although they are intended for religious
purposes they are owned and operated by a secular institution. the Navy. The
commanding officer of the base is the final authority on their function and
use.
The Commander of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC-
ENGCOM) is responsible for the procurement of chapels and religious
educational facilities. In the planning and design process the officials of
the base and personnel from the Chief of Chaplains' Office participate through
the appropriate Engineering Field Division of NAVFACENGCON.
b.
Interfaith Function. A major difference between military and
civilian facilities is that the former are nonsectarian and are designed to
meet the needs of all military personnel and all faith groups within the same
premises. The liturgical and theological understanding that is permanently
reflected or given an image in these facilities must be that which is held in
common by all religions. The implications of this for architecture are
several:
Architectural symbols, shapes, or configurations that are denominational
or sectarian in character or association should not appear as exterior motifs.
Neither should they be permanent elements of the interior within the spaces
that are shared by the various faith groups. An exterior example is the spire;
interior examples would include details suggestive of the Trinity, the Star of
David, the cross, etc. Such symbolic devices may be appropriately among the
portable and impermanent furnishings, but must not be fixed.
The facilities must, nevertheless, be thoroughly hospitable to
the uses of various religious denominations. Furnishings, equipment,
artifacts and symbolic devices appropriate to the various denominational
patterns of worship are to be provided so that the sense of "church",
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