Louisiana inmates remember the Alamo, too

A 6,000 square-foot chapel resembling the Alamo was built by about 50 inmates in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in 38 days. A 6,000 square-foot chapel resembling the Alamo was built by about 50 inmates in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in 38 days. Photo: Angolite Prison Magazine Photo: Angolite Prison Magazine Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Louisiana inmates remember the Alamo, too 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A chapel resembling the Alamo is providing a place of refuge and inspiration for inmates in the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

About 50 volunteer inmates working around-the-clock 12-hour shifts constructed the 6,000-square-foot chapel from top to bottom in 38 days, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel is a steel-framed building with a stucco front façade and is a replica of San Antonio's most popular tourist attraction. The interfaith church, which opened in December, includes seating for more than 200 and features paintings, furniture and stained-glass windows crafted by inmates.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary is the country's largest maximum security prison, housing more than 6,000 offenders, said spokesman Gary Young. The 18,000-acre prison is located in Angola, near the Mississippi-Louisiana border, and is surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River.

“The new Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at Angola is a special blessing to Catholic residents and others who are able and wish to pray and worship there,” Bishop Robert W. Muench told the Advocate. “It stands as a testament of faith to civil authorities, generous donors, talented artisans and dedicated workers who made it possible.”

More than $450,000 was donated by Latin American businessmen Jorge Valdez and Fernando Garcia for the materials for the chapel.

Rev. Bernard Papania, the prison's Catholic chaplain, told The Advocate that the inmates constructed the entire building — including framing the steel, laying the block and tile, painting, wiring and plumbing.

The Alamo replica, built in the prison's main camp, is the 14th chapel built in the Louisiana prison system through the Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation, Young said.

“The chapel has had an important and profound impact on the inmates,” Young said. “It allows us to serve their religious needs and has been a greatly positive addition to the grounds.”

kparker@express-news.net Twitter: @KoltenParker