|
|
The recently
restored POW Camp Chapel, designed and built by the prisoners, themselves.
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2009 |
Photographer's
Note:
Getting There
The Chapel is located about 3-1/2 miles south of Hereford
almost exactly on the Deaf
Smith/Castro County Lines. From FM 1055 west on Deaf Smith CR
1 one mile and south on CR H about 500 yards. The Chapel is plainly
visible from CR 1 in the winter but in late summer would be concealed
by tall corn stalks. The Chapel and Water Tower are maybe 1/2 mile
apart. The county roads in this area are dirt/gravel so maybe it would
be best not to be there during rainy season, if there is one. - Barclay
Gibson, December 2008
P.O.W. Camp Chapel Restored
Thanks to an article on the restoration of the Hereford POW Chapel
featured in the Lubbock Avalanche ("Avalanche" in West Texas?!- That's
the name) Journal, I went back to see it. The Chapel is now beautiful
as it sits in the middle of a lush corn field as opposed the the forlorn
look it had just last December. There were two abandoned dogs, more
like big puppies, guarding the Chapel.
The Chapel has been beautifully restored. New Plexiglas panels and
paint inside and out. The colorful gravel-epoxy flags are nicely redone.
Thankfully the brass plaques have been removed, probably to the safety
of the Castro County Museum. Here's the link to the Avalanche article:
Ex-Italian
POWs return to Hereford for chapel ceremony
- Barclay
Gibson, August 2009 |
 |
Approaching the
POW Camp Chapel
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The restored
POW Chapel in the midst of cornfield
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2009 |
The Restored
POW Camp Chapel
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2009 |
Looking in, through
the replaced glass
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2009 |
POW Camp Chapel
historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Historical Marker
P.O.W. Camp
Chapel
This Chapel is
one of the few physical reminders of the days this site served as
an Italian Prisoner of War Camp during World
War II. The prisoners, several of them fine artisans and craftsmen,
designed and built the chapel, crafting the concrete building to resemble
marble. Completed in 1945, the chapel stands as a memorial to the
five Italians who died while interned at the camp. A restoration project,
begun in 1987, was completed in 1989.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992 |
The base of the
camp water tower
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Interior view
showing pump support
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Photographer's
Note
A lady at the St
Mary's church in Umbarger
was so kind to show me around the church and explain the work done
by the Italian Prisoners. In the large painting behind the altar was
an angel. The artist, from his memory of his wife, painted her face
on the angel. Years later after the war the artist brought his family
back and she was able to see her face on the angel. - Barclay
Gibson, January 25, 2009
Visit Umbarger
nearby in Randall County |
|
|
HOME
