Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Post Chapel
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
1. Post Chapel Marker
This is the 24th in a series of 39 markers on the Fort Hancock Walking Tour.
Weddings, christenings, funerals, and services of all faiths took place here in Fort Hancocks chapel. It is one of the few surviving buildings from the pre-World War II mobilization period of 1940-41.
First Sergeant Lawrence Markle, 7th Coast Artillery Regiment, and Private 1st Class Margaret Bechill, Fort Hancocks Womens Army Corps detachment, were married here on October 8, 1943.
Fort Hancock was in operation from 1895 to 1974.
Erected by Gateway National Recreation Area. (Marker Number 24.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey - Fort Hancock Walking Tour series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1861.
Location. 40° 27.88′ N, 74° 0.338′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. It is at the intersection of Kessler Road and South Bragg Road, on the left when traveling north on Kessler Road. Marker is located in the Fort Hancock area in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, specifically on the Jersey Shore, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ferry Landing and Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Officers Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire House Number 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mule Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodman Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Baked Fresh Daily! (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting American Coasts (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
2. Post Chapel and Marker
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photo from 1944 of the Post Chapel, which was built in 1941. On the right side of the marker is a photo of First Sergeant Markle and PFC Margaret Bechill on their wedding day.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
3. Marker at Fort Hancock
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
4. Fort Hancock Post Chapel
The Post Chapel is Building #35 at Fort Hancock.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
