The Benjamin Franklin Village Chapel was the heart of the US Army military community in Mannheim, Germany from 1955 until the installation closed in 2012.  The chapel was home to the Christian community, both Protestant and Catholic, as well as the Jewish community. It hosted many kinds of multi-denominational church services and programs, as well as large community events such as the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Located in the very center of the installation, its welcoming doors brought the American and German communities together for over 55 years, making it of great historical and cultural importance.  Many deep and long-lasting German-American friendships were formed here.

The chapel is not listed as a historic building to be protected, which puts it at great risk.  Since our American friends left in 2011, our beloved chapel now stands empty, behind a chain-link fence, falling into a state of disrepair.    If this continues, costs to renovate it will grow and as it sits on highly valuable property, it could easily be demolished and wiped away from history.   This building, which brought so many people of different backgrounds and beliefs together, was a beacon for tolerance and love for one another.  In the highly divisive times in which we live today, the chapel could easily be utilized by this vibrant, new community in many ways to continue bringing people together.  This gem must be preserved and brought back to life to continue to foster tolerance and love for one another.