The Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on last month to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Dolores Hope All Faiths Chapel.
- The improvements, which included a new roof, exterior doors, and audio sound system, were funded in part by a $2 million grant from the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation.
AFEV President and CEO Brooke McLean emphasized the importance of the chapel to the community, stating, “The Dolores Hope All Faiths Chapel is the soul of the Air Force Enlisted Village. As individuals age successfully, the importance of having a spiritual component in wellness is critical, and this chapel is the enabler of that component.”
The chapel, built in 1991, received a Special Citation Design Award from the Air Force in 1993 and is named after Dolores Hope, wife of entertainer Bob Hope. The chapel’s windows were left intentionally clear at Dolores Hope’s request, as she believed the natural beauty of the landscape could not be improved upon.
Bob and Dolores Hope attended the chapel’s groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies in 1991. In 1993, a portrait of Dolores Hope painted by Nancy Greenawalt was unveiled, and the altar was dedicated in honor of Theresa DeFina, Dolores Hope’s mother.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by members of the chapel committee, AFEV Chairman of the Board Todd Simmons, DL3 Construction President Drew Lord, Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation Treasurer Jack Peter, Chaplain Bethel Bateson, and Father Nelson Toledo.