ENID — An asset to rehabilitation of inmates could be chapels currently being constructed inside the walls of Oklahoma prisons.

Enid’s Joe Wilson and his volunteer group recently built a second chapel at Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy. The project involved about 50 volunteers, mostly retired senior adults, Wilson said. In addition to the volunteers, 15-20 inmates assisted every day during the two weeks the volunteers were there.

The volunteers came from 10 states, stayed in 15 recreational vehicles and ate from an outdoor kitchen erected beneath a tent, with food supplied from area churches.

“Currently, there is no dedicated space for faith-based programs,” Wilson said. There also is no adequate curriculum or volunteers.

“Dedicated space in the missing link,” he said.

Wilson said the chapels provide space for religious and educational rehabilitation, and he has developed a partnership between Oklahoma Department of Corrections and World Mission Builders. Their goal is to build 15 chapels at Oklahoma prisons at an estimated cost of $6 million. About $150,000 still is needed to complete the two chapels in Hominy. Donations may be sent to Prison Chapel Inc., 431 N. Oakwood, Enid, OK 73703-3711. Wilson said the group has received a number of in-kind goods and services from sub-contractors, vendors and supply houses.

Each chapel that is built contains a sanctuary/auditorium with vaulted ceiling, raised stage and baptistery, along with classrooms, library and chaplain’s office. The large chapel at Dick Conner is located near the visitors parking and is visible from the main entrance. Wilson and his World Mission Builders volunteers have a goal of building 13 more chapels within the next five to seven years, he said.

Two chapels have been completed so far — the first at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center at Taft, which is a facility for female offenders, and the second at Bill Johnson Correctional Center in Alva, which is for young drug offenders. The third and fourth are at Dick Conner, and the next will be at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, a women’s prison.

Wilson is a retired Enid minister and founding minister of Oakwood Christian Church in 1978. World Mission Builders has built more than 240 chapels, churches and religious facilities in 88 countries.

Wilson’s wife, Faye, accompanies him on each project and has become the “fork- lift driver of preference,” he said.

Wilson retired from the ministry at Oakwood Christian in 1999 and became involved in the chapel ministry at that time, due to previous experience building a chapel in a federal prison in Mexico. After he returned from that job, he began receiving inquiries about the need at prisons in Oklahoma.

“That didn’t go anywhere until I talked to Sen. Patrick Anderson about building one chapel. I talked to Sen. Anderson and Rep. Mike Jackson, and they said they didn’t see why not,” Wilson said.

The legislators set up a meeting with Justin Jones, DOC director. Jones expanded the project, saying there is a need for chapels in 15 prisons.

“It exploded from there,” Wilson said.

The volunteers completed a chapel at Eddie Warrior, which he said has been “hugely successful.” Wilson said there are 50 ministries there and it has transformed the environment of the prison. About 150 women were baptized in the first 11 months the chapel was in operation, and it is open seven days a week.

“It is the focal point of the prison for the ladies. We hear monthly reports about what a blessing and an asset it has been to the program there,” he said.

Joe and Faye Wilson have been on 60 projects since his retirement and have helped build 50 chapels around the nation. Last January, they worked on a chapel in Brownsville, Texas, which was a rewarding experience, he said. The Wilsons have been to about 10 states working on chapels.

Wilson is involved because he is grateful for his life in the United States and feels retirees should make a contribution for their good fortune.

“In our country we are incredibly blessed with medical care, Social Security,” he said. “We have a lot of time, talent health and wealth in retirement. That is unique to our generation, and in our retirement years we need to be challenged to give back.”

As he drives away from a prison chapel he has helped build, Wilson looks in his rearview mirror at the project.

“It’s a good feeling to know you have built something that will be an asset long after you’re gone,” he said.