The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel is a National Historic Landmark, originally completed in 1962. Designed by architect Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, its striking aluminum, glass and steel structure features 17 spires rising 150 feet into the Colorado sky, making it an icon of modern American architecture.
The Chapel serves as a multi-faith center of worship, housing Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels, an All-Faiths Room, and Falcon Circle. It is central to Cadet spiritual life and was Colorado's most visited man-made tourist attraction before closure, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Persistent water intrusion which has existed since construction, along with decades of failed patchwork repairs have compromised safety and usability. In 2019, the Chapel closed for comprehensive restoration to ensure a permanent fix. During demolition, asbestos contamination far exceeding initial estimates was discovered, requiring full abatement and extending the timeline. Additional constructability issues, including misaligned structural steel, COVID restrictions and administrative processes have further extended the reopening to 2028.
