History
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It was Johnie Lee Fain’s desire to build a chapel – not an ordinary structure, but one that was "nestled in the lap of nature and filled with the spirit of God, a haven that provided comfort and refuge to all who entered". Her dream was fulfilled in 2002 with the completion of the Chapel of the Valley. Through her vision and a chance meeting with a schoolteacher, her dream became a reality.
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Henry Brooks, a schoolteacher, arrived in Arizona in 1956 and taught at the Orme School for 14 years. But he was much more than a schoolteacher. He had received two bachelor’s degrees (zoology and classical language) from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in sacred music form Union Theological Seminary in New York. He survived “The Battle of the Bulge” in Belgium, then taught at Michigan State and in Anchorage, Alaska before coming to Arizona. After his time at Orme School, he was the organist at the First Congregational Church in Prescott and then at the Chino Valley Community Church. At one point, he came across 8 stained glass windows, which were in storage and he knew he had to find a home for them. As a result, the chapel was built specifically as a home for these beautiful stained-glass windows.
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(Click on a window picture for a larger picture)
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These windows have a history of their own. In 1896, the Sisters of Mercy purchased land and began construction of the Mercy Hospital located in what is now the Prescott College area. The stained-glass windows were created in Germany in 1906 and then placed in the chapel located adjacent to the hospital. They were created using the European style process: glass coloration is created by oxidation of the earth’s elements – greens are oxidized copper; reds are oxidized gold. The designs are large sections of painted detail, not the individual pieces held in lead that is seen today. They are possibly the only European style-stained glass in Prescott.
In 1940 the Mercy Hospital burned, but not the chapel, and the Sisters decided not to rebuild. In the late 60’s, the chapel was sold and the windows were salvaged and stored. The new owners tried to secure a Roman Catholic Church in Arizona as a home for the windows but were unsuccessful. Henry Brooks had seen the windows and thinking they were the most beautiful things he had seen, began trying to purchase them. By the early 70’s, Henry Brooks was able to purchase the windows for $7,000 and sent them to Phoenix to be cleaned and restored. He then spent another $3,000 to build a chapel addition to his home to hold the windows. His 2 favorites (Jesus’ Agony in the Garden and St. Elizabeth of Hungry) were displayed in his living room. |
Over the years Henry Brooks had become friends with Johnie Lee Fain and they collaborated to bring her desire for a chapel and his desire for a permanent home for the windows together. The Fain family donated land for a 100-acre park to the city of Prescott Valley which opened in 1997. Johnie Lee Fain passed away in 1999 at the age of 93, and while she picked the location of the chapel and sat in on some of the design, it was her daughter, Carolyn Sue, who donated the money to fulfill her mother’s vision. Carolyn Sue Fain is the third person responsible for the creation of the chapel. Carolyn Sue was able to see the windows placed in the chapel but passed away at age 67 before the chapel’s completion.
Henry Brooks was able to visit the chapel many times before he passed away in 2006 at the age of 93. The chapel was designed by Otwell Associates Architects and constructed by Wetten Brothers Construction Company.
The chapel also contains hand carved hardwood pews from a Christian Science Church built in 1896 in Salt Lake City.
Although the Chapel of the Valley is within the bounds of the Fain Park, it is the private property of a foundation created by the Fain family. It is made available for public use, which can be arranged with the Chapel coordintor. Please see the Rates/Contact page for contact information.
Henry Brooks was able to visit the chapel many times before he passed away in 2006 at the age of 93. The chapel was designed by Otwell Associates Architects and constructed by Wetten Brothers Construction Company.
The chapel also contains hand carved hardwood pews from a Christian Science Church built in 1896 in Salt Lake City.
Although the Chapel of the Valley is within the bounds of the Fain Park, it is the private property of a foundation created by the Fain family. It is made available for public use, which can be arranged with the Chapel coordintor. Please see the Rates/Contact page for contact information.
