Our History
The building of the Chapel was a community affair. Vail Associates, Inc. generously donated a beautiful site along Gore Creek, and a two-year fund drive collected monies while involving property owners in consultations about the Chapel’s design.
Virtually all agreed that architecturally, the Chapel should reflect Vail’s alpine ambiance. Ground was broken in September 1968 and dedication of the Chapel took place to a “packed house” in November 1969. Reverend Thomas Stone, pastor of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Parish in Minturn and the Reverend Don Simonton of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church officiated, as they were the only two resident clergy at the time.
Over the years, the Chapel has grown in both scope of faiths and physical size. The Ministry Center Building, directly behind the Chapel, has allowed for more worship, office and meeting space, and a caretaker’s apartment was added to the chapel. The interior of the Chapel has been kept as simple as possible. Because the view from the altar included such “God’s masterpieces” as mountains, trees, and the Gore Creek, stained glass windows were deemed unnecessary. As Jewish Sabbath, High Holiday, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah services are regularly held in the Chapel, the wooden interior cross is removable and there is no cross on the steeple.
With the exception of campus and military chapels, the Vail Interfaith Chapel is one of the few community chapels in the country that is home to several worshiping faiths that use the same facility while maintaining their individual denominational affiliations and services.
1963
Vail Religious Foundation formed with five denominations represented
1965
Community fundraising began
1967
Vail Associates generously provides land grant to the Vail Religious Foundation
1968
Chapel groundbreaking with John Dobson, Nancy Kindel, Fr. Tom Stone, Cissy Dobson, Rev. Don Simonton, Rod Slifer, and Pete Siebert
1969
Chapel was completed with 300 people in attendance at dedication
1970s
President and Mrs. Ford regularly attend Episcopal services
1977
Caretaker's apartment was added
1979
Lutheran Minister, Don Simonton leads pilgrimages to Mt.of the Holy Cross Mountain
1980
Covenant Presbyterian holds first services in Chapel
1990
Lutheran Minister, Don Simonton leads pilgrimages to Mt. of Holy Cross Mountain
1996
President Ford endorses fundraising for 30th anniversary campaign
1997
Updates to the Main and North Chapel begin
1998
Groundbreaking of Ministry Center and offices
1999
Dedication of Ministry Center and offices
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Silver Anniversary
2000
North and Main Chapel renovations completed including new pews and furnishings and dedicated ark storage for Torah
2001
September 11th Interfaith services with 600 people
2009
Vail Chapel's 40th Anniversary
2014
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration celebrates 40th year in the valley
2019
50th Anniversary Celebration and Capital Campaign initiation
2023
50th Anniversary Capital Campaign renovations complete
2025
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration celebrates 50th year in the valley
GETTING HERE
CONTACT US
Vail Interfaith Chapel
Vail Religious Foundation
19 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657
About Us
