September 22, 2016 by: Ben Heimsath

Austin may be weird, but it doesn’t have an airport chapel. I finally determined this for certain as I arrived a bit early for a departing flight recently. I asked the cashiers at one of the many Austin-based eateries. They didn’t know of any chapel. I asked the shoe-shine vendors, certainly they would know. They didn’t. I went on-line to see if perhaps a chapel or prayer room might be hidden away, more visible to travelers than staff. No luck, I found no chapel.

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The International Association of Civil Avaition Chaplains lists over 150 airport chapel in over 40 countries.  There's no listing for Austin.  Just to be sure, I walked the length of the airport. I found massage chairs for body and foot massages. I saw signs for hydration stations, which turn out to be faucets to refill empty water bottles. I saw art displays and waiting areas of all kinds, but no chapel.

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Austin’s airport does have some special places, perhaps for Austin, you could call them sacred. Near the central food court is a bandstand. This pulpit is reserved for local talent who serenade weary travelers at regular intervals. Another site is at the baggage claim where a bronze statue of the terminal’s namesake, the late Barbara Jordon, is seated. The artist captured this icon of public service with fingers together, deep in thought. As the daughter of a minister, perhaps Barbara Jordan is pondering the same question. Why doesn’t Austin, the Capital City of Texas, have an airport chapel?

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Austin Bergstrom International Airport, 3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, Texas

Memorial/ Chapels