Mansfield in Richland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Chapel

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

1. The Chapel Marker

Inscription. In the last year of operation, this area was used for recreation. Televisions were mounted on the North wall. The Chapel is where the religious reform of all inmates took place every Sunday. Going to church services was required and all 1,900 inmates could be accommodated at one time. Originally there was a balcony around the South wall with additional seating. You can still see the line along the wall where the balcony was once attached. In 1928 another chapel was built outside in the yard and this room was converted into a Catholic Chapel. When a man would enter the institution he was given the opportunity to worship according to the dictates of his own religious leanings. While the majority of the boys were Protestants, there were many Catholics, and in smaller numbers, Jews, Christian Science and other sects. An effort was made to provide an outlet for each man's spiritual beliefs.

Three inmates were assigned to work with the priest cleaning and performing various chores. The priest would sometimes leave the inmates alone in the chapel in the afternoon. After receiving a tip that the inmates were tunneling out,

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the chapel was searched. Against the South wall was a large cabinet where the vestments and altar cloths were stored. The guards noticed there was dust on the floor. Since the chapel was swept daily, the dust caused the guards to be suspicious. The cabinet was pulled away from the wall and a hole was discovered. All three inmates were taken to the Hole and more time was added to their sentence. After that, no inmates were left alone in the chapel.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 40° 47.054′ N, 82° 30.151′ W. Marker is in Mansfield, Ohio, in Richland County. It can be reached from Reformatory Road. Located inside the former Ohio State Reformatory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield OH 44905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

2. The Chapel Marker

once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: East Cell Block (a few steps from this marker); Brooks' Room (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio State Reformatory (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lt. Col. Jared Mansfield (approx. 1.8 miles away); First Religious Service (approx. 1.9 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mansfield Blue Star Mothers War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); Richland County Korean War Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mansfield.

Also see . . . Ohio State Reformatory. (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

3. The Chapel Marker

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

4. The Chapel Marker

Wall Pieces on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel

5. Wall Pieces on display

Stations of the Cross art was once on the walls in the chapel.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 541 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 6, 2021, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.