Resident Seeks To Build Interfaith Chapel in MKE

On one trip to San Diego last year, I was connecting in Chicago's Midway Airport on a Sunday, and I started to hear announcements about a Catholic Mass that morning, which was something I wasn't expecting. But, apparently, both Midway and O'Hare have had interfaith chapels for fifty years, and the chapel at the former receives over 150,000 visitors a year. They offer Catholic Masses, as well as Muslim and nondenominational services.

These chapels were originally created for airport and airline employees who would have trouble making it to religious services due to their work schedule, but they have proved popular for travelers, as well.

Inspired by those chapels, Suzanne McKinney, has formed "The Interfaith Airport Chapel of Milwaukee" group with the goal of using about 600 square feet of the airport's parking garage for an interfaith center. The group is now raising money for that goal.

So why now? Apparently, St. Stephen's church in Milwaukee was popular for those traveling through the airport, but it has now moved to a new building what is not as convenient.

What do you think? Are interfaith chapels/prayer rooms a good idea for airports? Personally, it does seem handy for those who are constantly on the road and have trouble finding religious services.